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Section  .^ 


I 


I  Monthly  Trematiom^ 

FOR    Tk^5>fcr 

Holy  Commtrmon; 

ByjRftijatu  starter- 

To  which  is  added, 

Suitable  Meditations*  before 

in,  and  after  Receiving. 

IV  ITli 

Divine  Hymns, 

In  Common  Tunes. 

(Fitted  for  Pubiick  Congregations, 
or  Private  Families.   *„. 


The  Third  Edition  Ccrrefoi. 


BOSTON:  Printed  -fnr  D  Henchman,  at 
the  Corner  Shop  oveM^inlt  the  Brick  Meet 
ing-Roule  in  Corniiilf.     1718. 


2.  £./*£*• 


'■'•6 


iZVl 


THE 

PREFACE 

TO   TH  E 

READER. 

£*i  Acramenta^Work  is  folemn  Work 
^^  indeed:  And  all  thofe  helps  are 
Vj  valuable  &defirable, whereby  the 
Furniture  of  our  Minds,  the  temper  of 
our  Hearts,and  the  conduft  of  our  Lives 
may  be  anfwerable  to  the  folemnity  of 
a  Sacramental  Table.  A  Mind  that  is 
barren  or  perplext-,  an  Heart  that  is 
ialfe  or  ftupid  ^  and  the  Conference  of 
a  difordered  Converfation,are  badCom- 
panions  to  attend  us  to  the  HolySupper 
of  our  Lord.  The  Lord'sBody  is  to  be 
difcerned,  his  Death  fhewed  forth,  his 
tender'd  Self  &  Benefits  received,  and 
his  next  Coming  ferioufly  thought  on, 
and  throughly  prepared  for,and  joyfully 
expected  by  us ;  and  all  this  is  to  b$ 
influenced  and  a&uated  by  this  Memo- 
rial which  Chrilt  hath  left  with  us: 
A  2  Such 


N 


The  PREFACE 
Such  helps  as  thefe,are  rhe  moreufeful 
by  being  brief,  if  brevity  do  not  render 
them  defective  and  ohfcure,  as  here  I 
think  they  will  nor.  No  Directory 
can  be  better. than  the  Inliitution,  if 
well  difcerned  &  attended  to. 

7.  The  Memorable  Per/on  is  the  Lord 
Jefus,  in  his  Perfections, Relations,  and 
Defigns,  Here  therefore  let  him  be 
eonfidered, 

?.  As  MM%  to  render  him  capable  of 
Sufferings,SerVice,3nd  Contending  with 
that  Enemy  of  God  &  Man,  who  once 
deceived  and  enflaved  us. 

2.  As  the  Son  of  Alan,  the  chief  of 
Humane  Race,  for  Tryals,  Fair hiulnefs 
and  Advancement. 

3.  As  the  Son  of  God,  as  efTenrially 
and  molt  intimately  one  with  God  5  as 
Lord  of  the  (Jniverfe,  Head  over  all 
Things  to  His  Church, and  of  theChurch 
itfeife  The  brightnefs  of  his  Fathers 
Glory,  the  one  Mediator  5  and  lb  God's 
wiy  to  Man,  and  Man's  way  to  God, 
and  one  deputed  to  undertake  and  per- 
fect our  ConduQ,  Government,  and 
Salvation,.  f 

11  Hisk 


to  the   READER. 
11  His  Sufferings  are  the  things  here 
nexr  to  be  commemorated.  Great  were 
his  Trials  from  God,  from  Hell,  8c  from 
this  World.      With  great  compofednefs 
I  and  magnanimity,  did  he  endure  them, 
;    and  work    his  paflage  through  themtox 
that  exalted  ftate,    wherein  he  had  fo 
f  much  to  do  with  God  for  us  :    In    all 
thefe,and  in  his  Preparations  for  them, 
deth  he  appear  moft  exemplary  to  us, 
claiming  and  urging  our  Conformity  to 
his  obedient,    fubmiflrve,   and  refolute 
felf.     And  in  hisMeritorious  Sufferings 
and  Expiatory  Death,  mult  we  difcern 
and  think  intently  on,  what  there  2nd 
thence  was  evident  ^  viz.  God's Wifdomy 
Majefty,  Hoiine's,  and  his  Governing 
Juftice,  and  Prerogatives;  the  finfulnefs 
of  Sin,  theMifery  of  revolted  Man,  the 
Equity  8£  Power  of  Gods  violated  Law, 
and  the  eminence  of  the  Divine  above 
the  Animal  Life,  Nature,  &  Concerns, 
III.  Our  Intereftin,   and  Benefit  by 
thefe  his  Sufferings,  are  next  to  exer- 
cife  our  Thoughts.     He  died  to  let  us 
fee, 

i.  How  glorious  a  God  we  have  ta 
do  with. 

h%  2*  Hearts^ 


We  PREFACE 

2.  What  wife  and  righteous  Confti* 
rations  we  had  violated. 

3.  What  dreadful  Evils  we  had 
brought  upon  our  felves. 

4*  What  Spirir,  firengrh  and  reach 
{there  is  in  Divine  Threat  ning-s* 

5.  How  hard  It  is  to  be  recovered, 
when  we  are  fallen  from  God,  and  f6 
what  an  Enemy  Satan  is  to  Man  j  and 
|k>w  unwilling  to  let  his  Captives  go. 

6.  To  fliew  us  the  riches  of  God's* 
Grace  in  him, and  his  own  Dignity  ^  in 
that  his  Sufferings  could,and  did, merit. 
and  obtain  of  God  our  Pardon,  Adaption, 
Acceptance^  Eternal  Blifs  thro5  him,, 

7.  To-raife  and  cherifh  holy  end.ea* 
vours  to  return  to  God  in  hope* 

8.  To  make   us  dread  the  Thoughts 
of  ever  falling  off  from  God  again, 

9.  To  juftifie  our  Claims  to  all  the 
Benefirs  of  our  Gofpel-ftate-  and  day. 

10.  To  obtain  of  God  for  us  theSpirit 
and  Means  of  Grace,  thereby  to  fit  usl 
for  our  prefent  Work  &  Trials  in  this] 
our  Probationary  Statey  and  to  fuit  and 
bring  us  to  his  Father  and  Himfelf  in 
Glory,  £t  that  with  univerfalSatisfaQi^ 
^ai*«qd.Ad.vantage>i.aa4:A]^pJiinfetf 

of 


To  the  REAVE R. 

ii.  To  puc  himfelf  into  a  capacity 
of  interceding  for  us  in  Heaven,  and. 
biefling  us  from  Heaven  as  our  High- 
Prielt  upon  his  Throne. 

12.  To  put  us  into,&  to  keep  us  in  a 
Govenant-Itare  &  frame,  that  thus  we 
may  deal  8£  walk  withGod,asChildjen, 
as  interefted  in  his  Son,  as  inhabited 
and  actuated  by  his  Spirit,  &  as  united 
with  all  the  Family  of  God  and  Ghrift, 
in  the  fame  Principles,  Pra&ices,  Con-* 
cerns,  and  Hopes,  in  order  to  the  Exer- 
cifes  of  all  the  fympathiesand  fervices, 
of  mutually  ChriltianLove,Eph,iv.i,  68, 

IV.  Our  Commemoration  of  Chriltt 
thus  reprefented    to  us  as  upon    the 
Crofs,    and   as  determining  to  come- 
again,  is  our  next  work. 

i.  The  Sacramental  Elements/Sc  the 
Obferved  Inftitution,  is  the  Memorial, 

2.  The  Remembrance  contains, 

i.  head-work,   in  difcerning,  remem* 

bring  and:  believing  the   Sacramental 

Doftrine  of  this  Supper  to  be  true,and 

of  great  confeqaence  to  us  :  Chrift  Cruci* 

fiH^rsl.  determining  to  cone  cgain, 

2.  heart  aw/^in  forming  the  temper, ; 
pyrppfes,  hope§,ar<d.  comforts^of  our- 

Hearts^ 


The  PR  EFA  CE;  &c. 
Hearts  unto  whit  this  Supper  imports, 
and  our  acceptance  of  what  is  tendered 
here*  and  our  obliging  our  felves  to  do 
'and  be  asChrift  would  have  us. 

3.  Life  work  ;  in  keeping  up  our 
Chriltian  Practice  and  Profeflion  as  we 
are  here  dire&ed  and  obliged  to  -,  for 
a  more  full  Account  whereof,  and 
greater  firnefs  for  lrrthou  art  commend- 
ed to  this  helpful  Treatife,  by  Thine 
to  his  poor  Power  for  Chrift. 

Matthew  Sjhejler. 

Feb.  3.  i69%,6.. 


Ci  ) 

A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
ourHoly  Communion  with 
CHRIST  and  His  Church, 
in  the    Lord's  Supper. 

THIS  is  a  holy  Fealt  that  is  pur- 
pofely  provided  by  theKirgof 
Saints,  for  the  Entertainment 
of  his  Family \  for  the  refrefhingof  the 
"  weary,ai.d  the  making  glad  the  mourn- 
ful Soul,  The  Night  before  his  bitter 
Dea^h,  he  inltitured  this  Sacramental 
Feall  \  He  caufed  h\sDifcipfes  to  fit  down 
wishlfMjnd  when  they  had  pa  naked  of 
tie  Paflbver,  the  Sacrament  of  Promife, 
and  had  their  talte  of  rhe  vlaWwe^.z  gi- 
veththem  thetf*a>,even  the  Sacrament  of 
the  better  Covenanted  of  the  fuller  Gof* 
f  el  Grace  :  He  teacherh  them  that  his 
Death  is  Life  to  them :  And  that  which  is 
his  bitiere]1f.'jferh7g,\s  theirJWZ:  And 
hhjnrrouos  are  their  foys\  as  out  finfui 
fie  fur  es  were  hxsforrows  .The  flainLamb 
of  God  our  fojjover  that  was  Sacrificed  j or 

us, 

I 


2  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
us,  tbattaketb  away  the  fins  oj  the  Worlds 
was  thepleafant  food}  wh\chSacrawen* 
tally  he  himfelf  then  delivered  to  them, 
and  fubftantially  the  next  day  offered 
for  them.  The  Bread  of  God  it  be  which 
cometb  down  from  Heaven, and  givetb  Life 
unto  the  world,  Joh.6.33.  He  it  the  living 
Bread  which  came  down  from  heaven  :  If 
any  Man  eat  vj  this  Bread  he  fhall  live  for 
ever  :  And  the  Bread  which  he  givetb  it 
his  flefh  which  he  hath  given  for  the  Life  of 
the  World.  Ver.  50,5;  1.  Except  we  eat  tb\ 
fiejh  of  the  Son  oj  Man,  and  drink  bis 
Blood,we"have  no  Life  in  us :  Whofo  eatetb 
his  flefh  iff  dri/nketb  his  Bloodbath  eternal 
1-.ifefi?  he  will  raife  htm  up  at  the  la  ft  day : 
For  his  Flefh  is  meat  indeed,  &  bis  Blo«d 
it  drink  indeed :  He  that  eatetb  his  flefh, 
and  drinking  his  Blood,  dwellctb  in  Chn3, 
and  Chrifi  in  him  :  As  the  living  Father 
bath  Jen t  the  Son, &  be  livethby  the  Father. 
So  be  that  eatetb  him,  fhall  live  by  hint. 
This  it  that  Bread  that  came  down  from 
Heaven  :  Not  as  the  Fathers  did  eat  Man- 
na &  are  dead :  He  that  eatetb  this  Bread 
flmtl  live  J  or  ever. 

I  fhall  here  only  give  you  fome  brief 
Dircftions  for  your  private  duty  herein. 

Duea 


the  Holy  Sacrament]  % 

Direft.  i.   Vnderfland  well  the  proper 
ends  jo  which  this  Sacrament  was  institu- 
ted byCbrill,  iff  take  heed  thai  you  ufc  it 
not  to  ends,  for  which  it  never  was  appoin- 
ted. The  true  ends  are  thefe,  i.  To  be  a 
folemnCemmemoration  of  theD^/&  and 
Paffian  of  Jefus  Cbrifi,  Mat.26.28.  Mar. 
14-  24.  Luk.  22,  20.  To  keep  it,  as  it 
were,  in  the  Eye  of  the  Church,  in  his 
bodily  abfence  'till  he  ccme,  1  Cor.  11. 
24,25,26.     2.  To  be  a  folemn  renewing 
of  theHolyCovenant  which  was  firft  en- 
tred  in  Baptifm,  between  Ghrijt  and  the 
Receiver  \  and  in  that  Covenant  it  is  on 
Chritt's  parr,  a  folemn  delivery  of  him- 
felf  firft,  and  with  himfelf  the  benefits 
of Pardon  ^ReconcUiation,Adoptionfix.x\^\\t 
to  Life  Eternal  Heb.  9.  15,  16,  17,  18. 
I  Cor.  10    16,  24.    And  on  Man's  part ;, 
it  is  our  folemn  acceptance  ofC6n'f?,witk 
h\sBe  n  efts, upon  his  terms,  &  a  deliver- 
ing up  ourfelves  to  him,as  his  Redeemed 
ones,Qven  to  the  Father  as  our  reconciled 
Fathered  to  the  Son  as  our  Lord  (S>  Savi- 
our, and  to  the  Holy  Spirit  as  our  Sanfti- 
fier,  with  Profejfed  Jhankfulnefs  for  fo 
great  a  benefit.     3.  It  is  appointed  to  be 
a  liv ely objeQive  means ,by  which  theSpi- 

creife 


4  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

rit  of  Chr>fi  (hould  work  to  ttir  up  €t  ex- 
ercife,  8c  increaie  he  liepentanceJFaub, 
Dcfire,Love,Hope,  Joy,  Tbankjulnefs,  and 
Kew  Obedience  of  Believers  $  by  a  lively 
Reprefemation  of  the  evil oj  Jin,  the  infi- 
nite Love  of  God  in  CV//?,thefirmnefsof 
the  Covenant  or  Promife,  the  great  nefs 
andjurenejs  of  the  Mercy  given,  &  the 
Blejjednefs  purchafed  &  promifed  to  us, 
and  the  great  Obligations  that  are  laid 
upon  us.  Arid  that  herein  Believers  might 
be  folemnly  called  out  to  the  molt  fe- 
rious  exercife  of  all  thefeGraces,  \Cor. 
11.27,28,29,31.  1  Cor.  jo.  16,  17,21.  1 
Cor.  if,  2?, 26.  2  Cor. 64.  And  nvght  be 
provoked Sc  ailiftedtolHr  upthemlelves 
to  this  Communion  with  Gcd  in  Cbrift, 
and  to  pray  for  more  as  through  a  facri- 
ficed  Cbrifi.  4,  It  is  appointed  to  be 
the  folemn  Profeffion  of  Believers,  of 
their  Faith,&Love,K  Gratitude,  3nd  O- 
bedience  to  God  the  father, Son  and  Holy 
-GboS9  and  of  continuing  firm  in  the 
Cbriilian  Religion.  And  a  Badge  of  the 
Church  before  the  World.  Alls  2.  42, 
46.  &  20.  7.  5,  And  it  isappointed  to 
be  a  ftgn  H.  means  <fi  \\\z\Jnity^Love&xA 
Communion  of  Saints,  &their  readinefs  to 
-Communicate to  each  other.  The 


to  the  Holy   Sacrament]  5 

The  Falfe  miftaken  ends,  which  you 
muft  avoid,  are  thefe,  i.  You  muft  not 
with  thePapifis  think  that  the  end  of  it 
is  to  turn  Bread  into  noBread,  8c  Wine 
into  noWine,&  to  make  them  really  the 
true  Body  &  Blood  of  fefus  (Shrift.  For 
if  fenfe  (which  telieth  all  Men  that  it 
9 is  ftill  Bread  &C  Wine)  be  not  to  be  be- 
*  lievedjthen  we  cannot  believe  that  ever 
there  was  a  Go/pel,  or  an  Apoftle,  or  z 
Tope,  or  a  Man,  or  any  thing  in  the 
World.  And  thsApofile  exprefly  callethit 
Bread  three  times,  in  3  Verfes  together, 
after  theConfecr at ion, iCor.n. 26 ,27,28*1 
And  he  telieth  us,  that  the  ufe  of  it  is 
(not  to  make  the  Lord's  Body  really  pre^ 
fent  but)  to  /hew  the  Lord's  Death  till  he 
come  \  that  is,  as  a  vifible  reprefenting 
and  commemorating  fign,  to  be  infiead 
of  the  Bodily  prefence  till  he  come* 

2.  Nor  muft  you  with  the  PapiJIs  ufe 
this  Sacrament  KofacrificeChrift  again  real- 
ly unto  tie  Father,  to  propitiate  him  for 
the  quick  8c  dead,and  eafe  Souls  inPurs 
gatory,8c  deliver  them  out  of  it.  For 
Chrift  having  died  once  dieth  no  more* 
and  wirhour  killing  him,  there  is  no  fa- 
crificinghim  ;By  once  offeringuphlmtelf, 
B  be 


6  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
he  bath  perfelled  for  ever  them  that  arc 
fandified^  now  there  rematnetb  no  more 
Sacrifice  for  fin  :  Having  fin ifh ed  the 
facrificing  work  on  Earth,  he  is  now 
paHed  into  theHeavensyto  appear  before 
God  for  his  Redeemed  ones+Rom.6.9.iCorm 
IS. 3.  2  Cor. 5.14,15.  Heb.  9.  26.  and  10. 
12,26.  and  9.  24. 

3.  Nor  is  it  any  better  than  odious 
impiety  to  receive  the  Sacrament  ,to  con- 
firm fomeConfederacies  orOat  hs  of Secre* 
fie9  for  rebellions  or  other  unlawful  de- 
fignSiZSthePowderP/ottersinEng/and&id. 

4.  Nor  is  it  any  other  than  impious 
prophanation  of  thefe  facred  Mifteries 
for  the  Prieft  to conftra'w  ovfuffer  noto- 
rioufly  ignorant,  &  ungodly  Perfons,  to 
receive  them,either  to  make  themfelves 
believe  that  they  are  indeed  the  Chil- 
dren of  God,   or  to  be  a  means  which 
ungodly  Men  fhould  ufe  to  make  them 
godly  ^  pr,which  Infidels  or  Impenitent 
Perfonsmult  ufe  tohelp  them  toRepen- 
tance  &  Faith  in  Cbrifi.    For  th#  there 
is  that  in  it  which  may  become  a  mean* 
of  theirConverfion,(as  aThiet  that  fteal  ' 
eih'aBible  oTSermnBookjmy  be  convert  ! 
ed  by  lu)  Yet  it  is  not  to  be  ufed  hy  xh<  I 

Receive; 


ibt  Holy  Sacrament]  7 

Receiver  to  that  end.  For  that  were  to 
tell  God  a  lie,as  the  means  of  theirCon- 
verfion  *  for  whofoever  eometh  to  re-. 
ceive  a  fettled  pardon,doth  thereby  pro* 
fefsRepentance,asalfoby  the  words  a'd- 
joyned  he  muft  do  $  and  whofoever  t;k- 
eth,  8£  tattth,  &  drtnketb  the  Br  tad  and 
IVine.doth  actually  profefs  thereby, that 
he  taketh  8c  applieth  Cbrift  himfelf  by 
Fiith  ?  And  therefore,  if  he  do  neither 
of  thefe,  he  lierh  openly  to  God  5  and 
lies  &  falfe  Cavenants  are  not  the  ap- 
pointed means  of  Converfion.  Nor  that 
the  Minifttr  is  a  Her  in  his  delivery  of 
it :  For  he  doth  but  conditionally  feal 
and  deliver  God's  Covenant  &  Benefits  to 
theReceiver,to  be  his, if  he  truly  Repent 
and  Believe  :  But  the  Receiver  himfelf 
lieth,  if  he  do  not  aftually  Repent  &  Bc- 
Jievei  as  he  there  profefTeth  to  do. 

?-  Alfoit  is  an  impious  prophanatioa 
of  the  Sacrament,  if  any  Prieft  for  the 
Love  of  filthy  Lucre,  (hall  give  it  to 
thofe  tjhat  ought  not  to  receive  it,  that 
he  mry  have  his  Fees  orOfferings  -,  or, 
that  thePrieft  mav  have  fo  much  Money 
that  is  bequeathed  for  the  faying  a  Mais 
for  fuch  or  fuch  a  Soul. 

B  2  6.  And 


■ 


8         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

6.  And  it  is  odious  prophanarion  of  the 
Saeramenfyo  ufe  it  as  a  League  or  Bond, 
of  Faftion,  to  gather  perfbns  into  the 
party  ^  tie  them  faft  to  it,that  they  may 
depend  upon  the  Prielt,  &  his  Faftion 
andlnterelt  may  thereby  beltrengtbned, 
gc  he  may  feem  to  have  many  followers. 

7.  And  it  is  a  dangerous  abufe  of  it, 
to  receive  it,thar  you  may  be  pardoned, 
or  fanEtified,  or  faved,   barely  by   the 
work  done,  or  by  the  outward  exercife  ' 
alone.     As  if  God  were  there  obliged 
to  give  you  Grace, while  you  Itrive  not 
with  your  own  Hearts,  to  ftir  them  up 
to  love,or  defire,or  faith,  or  obedience, 
by  the  means  that  are  before  you  $   or 
ss  if  God  would  pardon  &  fave  you  for 
eating  Co   much  Bread  and  drinking  for 
much  Wine  when    the  Canon  biddeth 
you  *  or,  as  if  the  Sacrament  conveyed 
Grace,  like  as  Charms  are  fuppofed  to 
work,  by  faying  over  fo  many  word?. 

8.  Lilt!y,   Ic  is    no  appointed  end  of 
thisS3crament,thattheReceiver  thereby  | 
profefs  himfeif  certain  of  the  finceruy 
of  his  own  Repentance  &  Faith:  (For  ic 
is  not  managed  on  the  ground  of  fuch 
certainty  only  by  the  Receiver  \  much 

lefs 


t 


iht  Holy  Sacramenrl  9 

lefs  by  the  Miniiter  that  delivereth  it.) 
Bar  only  he  profefleth  that  as  far  as  he 
qan  difcern  byobfervinghis  ownHearr,he 
istruly  willing  to  haveChrift,&:hisbene- 
fits  on  the  terms  that  they  are  offered  5 
&:  that  he  doth  content  to  the  Covenant 

•  which  he  is  there  to  renew.  Think  not 
therefore,  that  the  Sacrament  is  inftitu- 
ted  for  any  of  thefe  (miftakenj  ends. 

*  DireCt    2.    Diftlnltly  under fan d  the 
>  p art s  of  the  Sacrament,   that  you  may  dif* 

tintfly  kfc  them,. Of  not  do,  you  know  not 
txhat.  This  Sacrament  container!)  thefe 
three  parts,  1.  The  Confecration  of  the 
Bread  &  Wine,wh\ch  maketh  it  the  Re- 
prefentativeBody  &Blood  of  Chri  ft,  2  The 
Reprefentation  &  Commemoration  of  the 
Sacrifice  of  Chrift.  3.  ThzCommuxicn  : 
O^Commumcaticn  by  Chrift,  and  Recep- 
tion by  the  People. 

*■  I/i  theG/z/^.r^^theChurch  doth 
firlt  offer  theLieatures  of  BreadU.  Wine, 
to  be  accepted  of  God, ro  thisSacred  ufe: 
And  God  aecepreth  them,  and  bleffeth- 
thern  to  this  ufe  5  which  he  fign'fieth 
both  by  the  words  of  his  own  Jriiiru- 
tiovad  by  the  Attion  of  hisMiniffers, 
ind  1  heir  EtntliHhn.  They  being  the 
B   3  Agents 


jo         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
Agents  of  God  to  the  People,  in  this  Jfef 
ccptingZl  Ble  fling  ^s  they  are  the  Agents 
ot  the  P*0/?/*  to  G^i,  in  cfierwg  or  rff#& 
«;//^  the  Creatures  to  this  ufe. 

2«  This  Confccration  having  a  fpecial 
tefpett  to  God  the  Father,  in  it  we  ac- 
knowledge  his  three  grand  Relations, 
i.  That  he  is  the  Creator  &L  ioxhcOwner 
of  all  the  Creatures  $  for  we  offer  them 
to  him  as  his  own*  2.  That  lie  is  our 
Righteous  GvvernourjNhoU  Law  it  was, 
that  Adam  &  we  have  broken,  and  who 
required  fatisfaftion,and  hath  received 
the  facrifice  and  atonemenr,&  hath  dif%. 
penfed  with  the  ftrift  &  proper  execu- 
tion of  that  Law  -,  and-  will  rule  us 
hereafter  by  the  Law  of  Grace-  3  That 
he  is  our  Father orBenefa&or  who  hath 
freely  given  us  a  Redeemer,  and  the 
Covenant  of  Grace,whofeLove  &Favour 
we  have  forfeited  by  fin,  but  defire&nd 
hope  to  be  reconciled  by  Chiift. 

?•  As  Chrilt  himfelf  was  Incarnate  8C 
true  Chrilt,  before  he  was facrijiced  to 
God.znd  was  facrijiced  toGod.hzfoxz  that 
facrifice  be  communicated  for  life  and 
nourifhment  to; Souls:  So  in  the  Sacra- 
ment,  Confecratkn  mull  ftrft  make  the 

Creature 


the  Holy   Sucr$mert>  I? 

Creature  to  be  the  Flejh  £?  BlocdofCbnft 
rcprefcntativc\  8c  then  t lie  facrificing  of 
thai  Fiejh  &  Blood  mult  be  reprefenred 
and  commemorated  -,  Et  chen  the  facri* 
ficed  flefh  and  blood  communicated  to 
the  Receivers  for  their  fpirirualiife* 

Ii.  TlxzCommemoration  chiefly  (but  not 
only  J  refpe&eih  God  the  Son  :  Fur  he 
hath  ordained, that  t\\$teconfccratcdRe- 
prefentations  fhould  in  their  manner  and 
meafure,  fupply  the  room  ef  his  bodily 
prefence,while  his  body  is  in  Heaven  i 
And  that  thus  as  it  were//;  effigy  in 
reprcftntation,  he  might  be  ftilL  Cru- 
cified before  the  Churches  eyes  $  and 
they  might  be  afft&ed,  as  if  they  had 
feen'him  on  the  Crofs.  .  And  that  by 
FaitbSz  Prayers,  they  might  as  it  VJere9 
offer  him  up  toGod^that  is,Might  fheiv 
the  Father  that  facriftce  once  made  for 
fin,  in  which  they  trult  -y  and  for  which 
it  is,that  they  expeft  all  the  acceptance 
of  their  perfons  with  God,and  hope  for 
audience  when  rhey  beg  for  mercy,and 
offer  up  prayer  or  praife  to  him. 

HI.  In  the  Communication,  though  the 
Sacrament  have  fefpefl  to  the  Father , 
as  the  principal  Giver  ^6£  to  the 5^ as 

both 


1 2         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
both  the  Gift  K  Giver  ,  yet    hath  it  a 

fpeciai  refpe£t  to  the  HolyGhoS^s  being 
that  5//W;  given  in  the  Flcjh  and&W, 
which  quickenethSouls  *  without  which 
theFleJh  will  profit  nothing  :  Andwhofe 
operations  muft  convey  KappIyChrift's 
laving  benefits  to  us-  John  6-63-  &:  739. 
Thefe  three  being  the  parrs  of  theSa* 
crament  in  whole,   as   comprehending 
that  facred  ii#/0tf,&participationwhich 
is  effentiai  to  it.     The  Material  parts, 
called  theRelate  &  Correlate,zxe,  1  Sub- 
ftantial  ^Qualitative-  2  Afiive&PaJJive. 
1.  £he  firlt  are  the  Bread  and    Wine  as 
figns,  and  the  Body  ar-d  B/W  ofCbrift, 
wich  hisGr^rr  andfirtf^/^asthethings 
fignified  and  given-  The  fecondare  the 
Ailions  of  Breaking, Pouring  out,2n&Deli- 
veringon  the  Minilters  parr, ("after  the 
Consecration)   and  the  Taking,    Eating, 
and  Drinking,  by  the  Receivers,  as  rhe 
figT  :  And  the  fignified  is,theCrucifying 
or  Sacrificing  of  Chrift,&  theDelivering- 
himfelf  with  hisBenefrts  to  theBeliever 
and  the    Receivers  thankful  Accepting* 
and  iifiag  the  laid  gift-      To  thefe  add 
the  Relative  ¥onn$L  the  Ends,  and  you 
have  the  definition  of  this  Sacrament. 

Duett* 


the  Holy    Sacrament*  i3 

*  Dire£t.  3.  Look  upon  the  Minijier  as 

r  the  Agent  or  Officer  of  Cbrift,  who  U  Com- 

*  pi'JJioned  by  him  to  feal  &  delivtr  to  yon 
the  Covenant  &  its  benefits :  And  take  the 

.  Bread  i$  Wine  as  if  you  heard  Chriji  him* 
■f elf  faying  to  you,  Take  my  BodytSf  Blood, 
Ekand  the  Pardon  fit  Grace  which  it  thereby 

*  fur  chafed-  It  is  a  great  help  in  the 
'W\ppIication,to  have  mercy  and  pardon 
Ibroughr  us  by  the  hand  of  a  Commiflio- 

ncd  Officer  of  Chrift. 

Direft-  4-   In  your  preparation  before*. 
*hand,  take  heed  oj  thefe  two  extreams,  v 
That  you  come  not  prophanely  &  carefrfly, 
with  common  hearts, as  to  a  common  work: 
ForGod  will  be  fa  notified  in  them  that 
draw  near  ro  him,  Lev*  10  3,  And  they 
that    eat   and  Drink   unworthily,   not 
difcerning  theLordsBody  frbmcommon 
Breadjbut  eating  as  if  it  were  acommon 
meal,   do   eat   Death   to   themfelves," 
inftead  of  Life-    2-  Take   heed  left  your 
mft.ikcs  of  the  nature  of  this  Sacrament ', 
fhould  pfffs  you  with  fuch  fears  of   un- 
worthy receiving^  the  following  dangers, 
is  may  quite  difcompfe  & 'unfit  yourSouls 
ror  the  joyful  exerafes  0/ Faith,  £7  Love, 
:S>  PraifepThanksgivingjo  which  you  are 

invited. 


1 4  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
invited'  Many  that  are  fcupulous  of  re- 
ceiving it  (n  *v>J7  tive  a  f  rafting  gefturc, 
are  too  little  carefuS&fcrupulous  of  re- 
ceiving ir  in  any.fave  z  fcafiing  frame  of 
mind*  The  firft  excresm  is  caufed  by 
profanenefs  and  negligence,  or  by  grofs 
ignorance  of  the  nature  of  the  Sacra- 
mental  woik.  The  latter  extream  is' 
frequently  ciufed  as  folio weth  -,  i  By 
fating  this  S.icrament  at  a  greater 
diftance  from  other  parts  oj  God's  wor- 
/hipy  then  there  is  caufe  :  So  that  the 
excefs  of  Reverence  doth  overwhelm 
the  minds  of  fome  with  terrors-  2-  By 
ttudying  more  the  terrible  wrords  of 
eating  and  drinking  damnation  to  tbcm- 
fclvcs,  if  they  do  it  unworthily^  than  all 
the  expreillons  of  Love  &Mercy,which 
that  Bleffed  Feaft  is  fumifhed  with* 
So  that  when  the  views  of  infinireLove 
fhould  ravifh  them,-  they  are  ftudying 
.wrath  and  vengeance  ro  terrify  them, 
as  if  they  cime  to  Mofcs,  and  not  to 
(Shrift.  5  By  not  underftanding  what 
maketh  a  Receiver  worthy  or'unwortby, 
but  taking  their  unwilling  infirmities 
for  condemning  unworthinefs.  4.  By 
receiving  it  fo  feldom,  as  to  make  it 

ftrange 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  i  5 

ftrange  to  them,and  increafe  their  fear, 
whereas,  if  it  were  adminiltred  every 
Lord's  day,  as  it  was  in  rbe  Primitive 
Churches,  it  wauld  better  acquaint 
them  with  it,  and  cure  that  fear  that 
cometh  from  thangenefs.  f*  By  ima- 
gining, that  none  that  want  affbrance 
of  their  own  fincerity,  can  receive  in 
Faith.  6.  By  contracting  an  ill  habit 
of  miftaken  Religioufnefs,placing  it  ail 
in  poring  on  themfelves,  and  mourning 
for  their  corruptions,  and  not  infludy- 
ing  the  Love  of  God  in  Chrift,  and 
living  fn  the  daily  praifes  of  his  Name, 
and  joyful  thankfgiving  for  his  exceed- 
ing Mercies.  7-  And  if  befides  all 
thefe  the  Body  contract  a  weak  or  ti- 
morous melancholy  diiiemper,  it  will 
leave  the  mind  capable  of  almoft  na« 
thing, but  fear  and  trouble,  even  in  the 
fweeieft  woiks.  From  many  fuch  cau- 
fesit  cometh  to  pafs,  that  tie  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  become 
more  terrible,  and  uncomfortable  to  a- 
bundanceoffuchdiftemperedChriltians, 
than  any  other  Ordinance  of  God  ;  and 
that  which  fhouid  molt  comfort  them 
doth  trouble  them  moit. 

Qjiefc 


1 6  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

Que  ft.  r.  But  it  not  this  Sacrament 
trior e  holy  and  dreadful,  and  fbould  it  not 
have  mure. preparation,  than  other  parts  of 
wifh.p  ? 

*  if.  For  the  degree  ?ndeed,it  fhould 
have  ve  y  careful  preparation  :  And  we 
cannot  well  compare  it  with  other' 
paus  of  worihip  5  as  Praife,  Thankfgiv,  * 
i  g  Covenanting  with  God,  Prayer,£?V. 
Betaufe  that  ail  thefe  other  parts  are 
here  c  mprifed  and  performed,  But 
d'ubtlef ,  God  muft  alio  be  fanftifted 
in  ail  his  other  worfhip,  and  his  Name 
mult  not  be  t;iken  in  vain.  And  when 
this  Sacrament  was  received  every 
Lord's-day,  and  often  in  the  Week  be- 
fides,  Christians  were  fuppofed  to  live 
continually  in  a  ftate  of  general  prepay 
ration,  and  not  to  be  fo  far  from  a  due 
particular  preparation,  as  many  poor 
Chriftians  think  they  are. 

Quelt.  7.  How  of  ten  fhould  the  Sacra*  t\ 
went  be  now  adminijlred.  that  it  neither^ 
grow  into  contempt  n^rUrangenefs  ?         M 

Anfw.  Ordinarily  in  wellDifciplined&i 
Churches  it  fhould  be  ftill  every  Lord's-?, 
day-  For,  i.  We  have  no  reafon  tcic, 
prove,that the^pofiles  example  8t  apf ;; 

pointmenfj 


S 


£ 


the  Holy  Sacrament]  17 

pointment  in  this  cafe,  was  proper  to 
thofe  times,  any  more  than  that  praife 
and   thankfgiving  daily   is  proper  to 
.them  :   And  we  may  as  well  deny  the 
obligation  of  other  Institutions  or  A- 
pcftolicalOrdersasthat.    2.  It  is  a  part 
of  the  fettled  order  for  the  Lord'sDays 
worfhip  *  and  omitting  it,  maimethand 
alterab  the  worfhipjortbeday^  and  occa- 
iioned  the  omiffion  of  the  thankfgiving 
nd  praife,  and  lively  commemorations; 
ofChrift,  which  fhould  be  then   moll 
performed  ;    And  fo  Chriftians  by  ufet 
grow  habited  to  fadnefs,and  a  mourning 
melancholy  Religion,   and  grow  unac- 
quainted   with  much  of  the  Worfhip 
and  Spirit  of  the  Gofpel.     ?.  Hereby 
the  Papifis  lamentable  corruptions  of 
^his  Ordinance  have  grown  up,even  by 
an  excefs  of  reverence  and  fear,  which 
feldom   receiving  doth  increafe  *   till 
they  are  come  to  woifhipBrai  as  thek 
3pd<     4.    By  feldom  communicating, 
Men  are   feduced  to  think  all  proper 
[Communion  of  Churches  lieth  in  that  Si- 
yranent,  and  to  be  more  prophanely 
o>oid  in  abufing.many  other  parts  of 
j-voifhipt    ?.  There  are  better  means 
%  ~      G  (bjr 


'i8        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

(by  Teaching  and  Difcipline;  to  keep 

the  Sacrament  from  contempt,  than  the 
omitting  or  difplacing  of  it.  6.  Every 
Lord'sDay  is  no  oftner  than  Chriftians 
need  it.  7.  The  frequency  will  teach 
them  to  live  prepared,  and  not  only  to 
make  much  ado  once  a  Month  or  Quar- 
ter, when  the  fame  work  is  negietted 
all  the  Year  befide 5  even  as  one  that 
liveth  in  continual  expe&ation  of  death, 
will  live  in  continual  preparation  : 
When  he  that  expe£teth  it  but  in  fome 
grievous  ficknefs,will  then  be  frightned 
into  fome  feeming  preparations,  which 
are  not  the  habit  of  his  Soul,  but  laid 
by  again  w£en  the  difeafe  is  over. 

3.  Bur  yet  I  muft  add,  that  in  fome 
undifciplined  Churches,  and  upon  fome 
occafions  ic  may  be  longer  omitted,  or 
feldomer  ufed  *  no  duty  is  a  duty  at 
all  times:  And  therefore  extraordinary 
cafes  may  raife  fuch  impediments,  as 
may  hinder  us  a  long  time  from  this, 
and  many  other  Priviledges.  But  the 
ordinary  faultinefs  of  our  imper*e9| 
hearts,  that  are  apt  to  grow  cultcmarjr 
and  dull,  is  no  good  reafon  why  \r 
ffioqM  be  fel&cm  $  any  more  than  mi) 

other 


the  Holy  SacramnK  >e 

other  fpeciai  duties  of  Worfhip  and 
Church  Communion  fhould  be  feldom. 
Read  well  the  Epiflle  of  Paul  to  the 
Corinthians,  and  you  will  find  that  they 
were  then  as  bad  as  the  true  Chriftians 
are  now,  and  that  even  in  this  Sacra- 
ment they  were  very  culpable,  andyet 
Paul  feeketh  not  to  cure  them  by  their 
feldomer  communicating. 

Q.  3.  Are  all  the  Members  ofthevifible 
Church  to  be  admitted  to  this  Sacrament  ? 
Or  Communicate. 

Anfw,  All  are  not  xofeek  ir,or  xotake 
it,  becaufe  many  may  know  their  own 
u  ifitnefs,  when  the  Church  or  Paftors 
know  it  not  :  But  all  that  come  and 
feck  if,are  to  beadmitted  by  thePaftors, 
except  fuch  Children,  Idiots,  ignorant 
Perfons,  or  Ueriticks,  as  know  not  what 
they  are  to  receive  or  do^  and  fuch  as 
are  notorioufly  wicked  or  fcandaious^ 
and  have  nor  manifelted  their  Repen- 
tance. But  then  it  is  prefuppofed,thac 
none  fhould  be  numbred  with  the  adult 
members  of  the  Church,  but  rhofe  thac 
have  perfonally  owned  their  Baptifmal 
Covenant,  by  a  Credible  ProfcJJijnof  true 
Cbrittianity% 

C  2  •    Q.  4; 


r2o        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

Q;  4.  May  a  Man  that  bath  knowledge, 
and  civility,  and  common  gifts t  come  and 
take  this  Sacrament,  if  he  know  that  be 
if  yet  void  of  true  repentance,  and  other 
faving  Grace  ? 

Anfw.  No  j  for  he  then  knoweth 
Mmfelf  to  be  one  that  is  uncapable  of 
it  in  his  prefent  ftate. 

Quelt.  5.  May  an  ungodly  Man  receive 
this  Sacrament,  who  knovceth  not  himjelf 
to  be  ungodly  ? 

Anfw.  No^  For  he  ought  toknowity 
and  his  finfdl  ignorance  of  his  own  con- 
dition, will  not  make  his  fin  to  be  his 
duty  h    nor  excufe  his  other  faulrs  be- 
fore  God, 

Queft.  6.  Mutt  a  fincere  CbriJJian  re- 
ceive that  is  uncertain  of  his  fincenty,  and 
in  continiul  doubting  ? 

Anf.  Two  preparations  are  neceflary 
to  this  Sacrament  •,  the  general  prepare- 
fr'tf/r,  which  is  a  (tare  ot  Grace,  and  this 
xhe  doubting  Chriitian  hath  ;  ar.d  the 
particular  'Preparation,  which  confifteth 
in  his  prefent  actual  fitnefs  :  And  all 
the  Queltion  is  of  this.  And  to  know 
this,  you  muft  further  diftinguifh,  be- 
tween immediate  duty  and   more  remote  $ 

and 


the  Holy  SacramenK  2 1 

\    and  between  the  degrees  of  doubtful- 
nefs   in    Chrifttans,       i.    The   near  eft, 
immediate  Duty  of  the  doubtingChriftian 
is,  to  ufe  the  means  to  have  his  doubts 
refolved,  till  he  know  his  Cafe  ;     and 
.  then  his  next  duty  is,   to  receive  the 
\     Sacrament  \  and  both  thefe  ftill  remain 
jj    his  Duty, to  be  performed  in  this  order. 
And  if  he  fay,  J  cannot  be  refolved, when 
1  have  done  my  heft.  Yet  certainly  it  is 
fome  Sin  of  his  own,  that  keepeth  him 
in  thedark,andhindereth  hisAfTurance; 
and  therefore  duty   ceafeth  not    to   be 
duty  :   The  Law  ofCbritt  Itfli  obiigeth 
hm,  both  to  get  Aflurarce,  and  to  re- 
ceive 5     and    the    want  both    of  the 
Knowledge  of  his  State,  and  of  the 
Receiving  xhcSacrawent, are  his  continual 
Sin,  if   he  lie  in  it  never  lb  long  thro' 
thefe  fcruples, though  it  bean  infirmity 
that  God    will   not    condemn  him  for. 
("For  he  is  fuppofed  to  be  in  a  "a:e  of 
Grace.)  But  you  will   fay,  What  if  ftill 
he  cannot  he  rejolvcd  whether  he  his  ff*ue 
Fauh  &    Repentance,   cr    not    ?      What 
Jhould   he  do  while  he    is   in   doubt  ?     I 
anfvver,  It  is  one  thing  to  ask,   what  is 
his  duty  in   this  cafe  ?     And   another 
C  3  '  thirg 


22        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
think  to  ask,  Which  U  the  f mailer  or  lefs 
dangerous  Sin  ?    Still  his  duty  is  both 
to  get  the  Knowledge  of  his  Hearty  and 
to  communicate  :   But  while    he  finneth 
('through  infirmity)  in  the  failing  of  the 
JirS,  were  he  better  alfo  omit  the  other,  or 
not  ?    To  be  well  refolved  of  thatjou 
niuft  difcem,  I.  Whether  hisjudgment^ 
of  himfelf,  do  rather  incline  to  think 
and  hope  that  he  is  fincere  in  his  Repen- 
tance &  Faith,ox,that  he  is  not  ?  2.  And 
whether  the  confequents  are  like  to  be 
good  or  bad  to  him.     If  his  hopes  that 
be  is  fincere,  be  as  great  or  greater  than 
his  fears  of  the  contrary,  then  there  is  no 
faeh  ill  confequent  to  be  feared  as  may 
jhinderhis  communicating  \  but  it  is  his 
fceft  way  to  do  ir,  and  wait  on  God  in 
she  ufe  of  his  Ordinance.     But  if  the 
Perfwafionof  his  gracelefnefs  be  greater 
than  the  hopes  of  his   (incerity,    then 
lie  mult  obferve  how  he  is  like  to  be 
affetted,  if  he  do  communicate.     If  ht 
find  that    he   is  like   to  clear  up  hi 
mind,  and  increafe  his   hopes  by    th 
mftaatling  of  his   Grace,   he  had  ye 
%eft  to  go  :     Bat   if  he  find    that    hi 
Heart  is  like  to  be  overwhelmed  wit  I 

horro 


to  the  Holy  Sacrament]  2£ 

horror  8c  funk  into  defpair,  by  running 
into  the  fuppofed  guilt  of  unworthy 
receiving,  then  it  will  be  worfe  to  do 
ir,  than  to  omit  it.  Many  fuch  fearful 
Chriftians  I  have  known,  that  are  fain 
many  years  to  abfent  themfelves  from 
the  Sacrament  $  becaufe  if  they  fhould 
receive  it  while  they  are  perfwaded 
of  their  utter  unworthinefs,they  would 
be  fwaliowed  up  ©f  defperation,  and 
think  that  they  had  taken  their  own 
damnation  (as  the  Twenty  Fifth  Article 
of  the  Church  of  England  faith,  the  un- 
worthy Receivers  do.)  So  that  the  chief 
Sin  of  fuch*a  doubting  Receiver,  is  not 
that  he  rtceivetb  though  he  doubt  ;  for 
doubting  will  not  excufe  us  for  the 
finful  omiilion  of  a  duty  (no  more  of 
this  than  of  Prayer  or  Thankfgiving  :) 
But  only  Prudence  requirechfuch  a  one 
to  forbear  that,  which  through  hisown 
Diftemper  would  be  a  means  of  his 
defpair  and  ruine:  As  that  Phyfick  or 
Food  (how  good  foever)  is  not  to  be 
taken  which  would  kill  the  taker: 
God's  Ordinances  a^e  not  appointed  for 
our  deliru£lion,  but  for  our  edification- 
and  fo  muft  be  uied  as  tendeth  there- 
unto* 


24        A  Monthly   Preparation  for 
untcu  Yet  to  thofe  Chrillians,  who  are 
in  this  cafe,  and  dare  not  communicate, 
I  mult  put  this  Queltion5How  dare  you 
fo  long  refufe  it  ?     He  that  confenterh 
to  the  Covenant,  may  boldly  come  and 
fignify    his    confenr,  and  receive   the 
fealed  Covenant  of  God  -5    for   conftnt 
is  your  Preparation,  or    the  neceflary 
Condition  of  your  Right:   If  you  con-* 
fent  not,  you  refufe  all  the  Mercy  of 
the  Covenant.     And  dare  you  live    in 
fuch  a  ftate  ?    Suppofe  a  Pardon  be  of- 
fered to  a  condemned  Thief,but  fo,that 
if  he  afrer  caft  it  into  the  dirt,  or  turn., 
Traytor,   he  (hall  die  a  fbier  Death 
will  he  rather  chufe  to  die  than  take 
it,  and  fay,  I  am  afraid  I  (hail  abufe  it  > 
To  refufe   God's    Covenant    is  certain^ 
Death ;  but  to  conftnt  is  your  Prepare? 
tion  and  your  Life. 

Quelt,  7.  Wherein  lietb  the  Sin  of  an 
Hypocrite,  and  ungodly  Ferfony  if  he  do 
receive  ? 

Anf.  His  Sin  is,  i.  In  Lying  &  Hypo- 

< trifie  ^    in  that    he  profeflcth  to    repent 

urjcignedly  of  bis  Sin,  and  to  be  rejolve  I 

for  a  hcly  Life,  and  to  believe  in  Cbrifl, 

and  to  accept  him  on   his  Covenant- 

terms, 


the  Holy   Sacrament*  25 

terms,an*  to  give  up  himfelf  toGod,as 
his|Father,his  Saviour,  &  hisSanftifier, 
and  to  forfake  the  Flefh,  the  Wor/d^nd. 
the  Devil  •,    when  indeed,  he  never  did 
any  of  this,  but  fecretly  abhorrerh  it 
at  his  Heartland  will  not  be  perfwaded 
to  it  :  And   fo  ail  this  ProjeJJion,  and 
Iris  very  Covenanting  icfeif,  and  his  Re* 
ce\ving^%  it  is  a  Prof  effing,  covenanting- 
ftgn,\s  nothing  but  a  very  lie.      And 
what  it  is  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Gbofi,   the 
cafe  of  Ananias  and  Safphira xzlleth  us* 
2.  It  is  Ufurparion    to  come   and  lay 
claim  to  thofe  Benefits,  which  he  hath 
fio  Title  to.     3.  it  is  a  Propha^aiion  of 
thefe  holy  Myfteries,  to  be  thus  ufed  j 
and  it  is  a  taking  of  God's  Name  in 
vain,  who  is  a  jealous  God,   and   will 
be  fan&ifiedof  all  that  draw  near  unto 
him.     4.  And   it   is  a    wrorg  to  the 
Church  of  God,  and  the  Communion  of 
Saints,  and  the  honour  of  theChriftian 
Religion,  that-  fuch  ungodly  Hypocrites 
intrude  as  Members  :  As  it  is  to    the 
Kings  Army,  when  the  Enemies  Spies 
creep  in  amonglt  them  5  or  to  his  Mar- 
riage feaft  to  have  a  Gueft  in  rags,  Mat. 
22.   11,  12. 

ObjeCt; 


26         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

Obje£t.  But  it  h  no  lie,  becaufe  tie) 
think  they  Jay  true  in  their  Profejjion* 

Anfw%  That  is  through  their  finfu] 
negligence  and  felf-deceit ;  And  he  h 
a  lier  that  fpeaks  a  falfliood,  whict 
he  may  and  ought  to  know  to  be  a  fal 
fliood, though  he  do  nor  know  it.  There 
is  a  lier  in  rafhnejs  and  negligence,  as 
Well  as  of  fet  purpoje. 

Queft.  8,  Doth  all  unworthy  receiving 
make  a  man  liable  to  damnation  ?  Or, what 
unworthinejs  ii  it  that  is  Jo  threat ned  ? 

Anf.  There  are  three  forts  of  unwor- 
thinefs (or  unfitnefsj  and  three  forts  of 
Judgment   anfwerably   to  be    feared. 
i.   There  is  the  utter  unworthinefs  of 
an  Infidel,  or  impenitent,  ungodly  Hy 
pocrite..    And  damnation  to    Hell-fire. 
is  the  punifhment  that  fuch  mult  expeft, 
if  Converfion  prevent  it  not.     2.  There 
is  an  unworthinefs  through  fome  great 
and  fcandaious  crime,  which  a  regene 
rate  Perfon   falleth    into   -,     and    thi 
(houid  flop  him  from    the   Sacrament 
for  a  time,  till  he  have  repented   ane 
caft  away  his  Sin.     And    if  he   com< 
before  he  rife  from  his  fall  by  a  parti) 
cular   Repentance,    (as   the  Corinthian 

tha 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  2  J 

*fhat  finned  in  the  very  ufe  of  theSacra-' 
ment  it  feitj  they  may  expe&  fome 
notable  temporal  Judgment  at  the 
prefentj  (and  if  Repentance  did  not 
prevent  it,  they  might  fear  Eternal 
Punifhment)  3.  There  is  that  meafure 
of  unworthinefs  which  confifteth 
in  the  ordinary  infirmities  of  a  Saint  5 
and  this  fhoLld  not  at  all  deter  them 
from  the  Sacrament,  becaufe  it  is  ac- 
companied with  a  greater  worthinefs* 
yea,  though  their  weaknefs  appear  in 
tlfe  time  and  manner  of  their  receiving  ; 
3ut  yet  ordinary  Corrections  may 
follow  thefe  ordinary  infirmities.  (The 
grojjcr  abufe  of  the  Sacrament  it  fclf,  I 
join  under  rhe  fecond  rank  ) 

Queft.  9.  What  ii  the  particular  Prepa- 
ration needful  to  a  Jit  Cmmunicant  ? 

Anfw.  This  briogeth  me  up  to  the 
next  Direttion. 

5*  Let  your  Preparation  to  this  Sacra* 

ment  conftjl  0}  tbefe  particulars  following^ 

\i.  In  your  Duty  with  your  ovonConfciences 

and  hearts.  2.  In  your  duty  towards  Qcd* 

(.  And  in  your  duty  towards  your  Neigb* 

vur. 

I.  Your  duty  with  your  iisans  *con: 

h 


28        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
fifteth  in  thefe  Particulars,     i.  That 
you  do  your  beft  in  the  clofe  Examina* 
tion  of  your  Hearts  about  your  States, 
and  the  lincerity  of  your  Faith,  Repen- 
tance, and  Obedience  :  To  know  whether 
your  Hearts  are  true  to  Godf  in   the 
Covenant  which  you  are  to  renew  and 
feal.     Which  may  be  done  by  thefe  In« 
quiries,  and  difcerned  by  thefe  Signs. 
i.  Whether  you  truly  loath  your  felves 
for  all  the  Sins  of  your  Hearts  &Lives, 
and  are  a  greater  offence  and   burden 
to  your  felves,  becaufe  of  your  Impel*1 
fe&ions  and  Corruptions,  than  all  the. 
World  befides  is  ?  Ezek.6.  9  &  20,  43. 
fS  36.  31,  Rcmj.  24,    2.  Wherher  you 
have  no  Sin  but   what   you   are  truly 
defirous  to  know  ^   and    no  known  fins 
but  what   you  are   truly   defirous   to 
be  rid  of  *    ard  fo  defirous,  as  that 
you    had   rather   be    perfe&iy    freed 
from  Sin,  than  from  any  Affli&ion  in 
the  World  ?  R0/0.7.22,  2?,  24  i5  8.  18. 
3.  Whether  you  love  the  fearchingand  I) 
icforming  Light,  even  the  mcft  fearch- h 
ing  parts  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  their 
mull:  fearching  Books,    ard  fearchingl 
Sermons,  that  by  tiiem  you  may  be 

brought 


the  Holy  Sacrament]  2> 

brought  to  know  your  felves,in  order  to 
your  fettled  Peace  and  Reformation? 
7^6.3.19,20,21.  4.  Whether  you  truly 
love  that  degree  of  Holinefs  in  others 
which  you  ha?e  not  yet  attained  your 
felves*  and  love  Chrift  in  his  Children* 
with  fuch  an  unfeigned  love,  as  will 
caufe  you  to  relieve  them  according  to 
your  abiiities,and  fufFer  tor  their  lakes, 
when  it  is  your  Duty  ?  1  706,3. 14,1 5. 
I  Pet. 1  22  67  3.8.  Jam  2-  12,  13,  14,^ 
Mat  2-s«  40,  0V-  5.  Whether  you  can 
truly  fay,  that  there  is  no  degree  of 
Holinefs  fo  high,  but  you  defire  it,  and 
had  rather  be  perfect  in  the  loveofGod, 
and  the  Obed;ence  of  his  Will,  than 
have  all  the  riches  and  pleafures  of 
this  World,  Rom  7.  18,21,24.  ?Jal\\^m 
5  Mat-  ?.6-  And  had  rather  be  one  of 
the  holielt  Saints,  than  of  the  molt  re- 
nowned profperous  Princes  uponEarth? 
jyW.15.4.  &  16.  2.  Pfai  84.  10  £7  6;.  4. 
6.  Whether  you  have  fo  far  laid  up 
your  treafure,  and  your  hopes  in  Hea- 
ven, as  that  you  are  refolved  to  take 
that  only  for  yoar  Portion  5  and  thac 
the  hopes  of  Heaven,  and  inteieft  of 
youj  Souls,  hath  the  preheminence  in 
D  your 


fi  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
your  Hearts  againft  all  that  Itands  in 
Competition  with  it  £60/3.1, 3,4-ilW.6.- 
ao,2i.  7.  Whether  the  chiefeft  care 
ot  your  Hearts,  and  endeavour  of  your 
Lives,  be  to  ferve  and  pieafe  God,  and 
,  *o  enjcy  him  for  ever  rat her  than  for 
'  any  worldly  thing  >  Mat,6.zi.  foh.5  *>6.  i 
2  C<?r.  ?.  1,6,7,8,9.  8.  Whether  it  be 
your  daily  defire  and  endeavour  to 
mortifie  the  flefh,  and  matter  its  rebel* 5 
lious  Opposition  to  the  Spirit  ^  and  you 
fo  far  prevail,as  not  to  live,  ard  walk, 
and  be  led  by  -the  flefh,,  but  that  the 
courfeK  drift  of  your  life  is  fpiritual  > 
Rom.  8.1,6,7,8,9,10,13.  Gal$  17,21,22. 
9.  Whether  the  World,  and  all  its 
Honour,  Wealth,  a  d  Pleafures,  appear 
to  you  fo  fmali  and  contemptible  a 
thing,  as  that  you  efteem  it  as  dung, 
and  nothing  in  comparifonof  Chrift,and 
the  Love  of  God  and  Glory  ?  And  are 
refolved,  that  you  will  rather  let  go 
ill,  than  your  part  in  Chrift  ?  And, 
which  ufeth  to  carry  it  in  the  time  of 
Trial,  in  your  deliberate  Choice  ?  Ph'tl, 
3*7>8,9,i3,i4, 18,19,20.  %Job2.i^Luk. 
14.26,30,33. Mat  13  iy,2i  10  Whether 
you  are  lefolved  upon  a  courfe  of  Ho- 


the  Holy  Sacrament,  3 1 

linefs  8c  Obedience,  and  to  ufe  thofe 
means  which  God  doth  make  known  to 
you,  to  be  the  W3y  to  pleafe  him,  and 
to  fubdue  your  corruption  5  and  yet 
feeling  the  frailties  of  your  Hearts,and 
the  burden  of  your  Sins,  do  truit  in 
Cbrifl  as  your  RighteoufnefsbeforeGod, 
and  in  the  Holy  Gfof7,whofeGrace  alone 
-can  illuminate,  fanftifie,  and  confirm 
you?  Aft.  ik  2?.  PfaL'119.  57,  63,  69> 
106.  1  Cor.'  1.  30.  Ro?n.  8.  9,  John 
1?,  $.  1  Cor.  12.  9.  By  thefe  Signs 
you  may  fafely  try  your  ihtes. 

2.  When  this  is  done  you  are  alfo  to 
try  the  ftrength  and  meafure  of  your 
Grace  •,  that  you  may  perceive  your 
weaknefs,  and  know  for  what  help  you 
fhould  feek  to  Chrift.  And  to  find  out 
what  inward  Corruptions  and  finful  In- 
clinations are  yet  ftrongeft  in  you,  that 
you  may  know  what  to  lament,  and  to 
»sk  forgivenefs  of,  and  help  •againft. 
My  Book  called  Directions  for  weak 
Chri[iians>  will  give  you  fuller  advice 
in  this. 

?•  You  are  alfo  to  take  a  ftr?£l  ac- 
count of  your  Lives,  and  to  look  over 
your  dealings  withGjd  and  Men, in  fe- 
D  2  crec 


%i  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
cret  and  publick,efpecially  of  late,fince 
the  lalt  renewal  of  yourCovenant  with 
God,and  to  hear  what  God  and  Confid- 
ence have  ro  fay  about  your  fins  and  all 
their  aggravations,  Pfal.  139  23  1  Cor. 
11    28. 

4-  And  you  muft  labour  to  get  your 
Hearts  affHted  with  your  condition,  as 
you  do  difcover  it.  To  be  humbled  for 
what  is  finful3and  to  bedefirousof  help 
againft  your  weaknefs,  and  thankful 
for  the  Grace  which  you  difcern. 

5.  Laftly^  You  mult  confider  of  all  the 
work  that  you  have  to  do,  and  alt  the 
mercies  which  you  are  going  to  receive, 
and  what  Graces  are  neceflary  to  all 
this,  and  how  they  muft  be  ufed  ^  and 
accordingly  lock  up  all  thofe  Graces, 
and  prepare  them  for  the  exercife  to 
which  they  are  robe  called  out- 1  fhalt 
name  you  the  particulars  anon* 

II.  Your  duty  towards  God  in  your 
preparation  for  thisSacramem  is,  1  To 
caft  down  your  felves  before  him  in 
humble  penitent  ConfefFion,and  Lamen- 
tation of  all  the  Sins  which  you  difco- 
ver 5  and  to  beg  his  pardon  in  fecrer, 
before  you  come  to  have  it  publickly 

fealed 


the  Holy  Sacra  went]  33 

fealed  and  delivered  2  To  look  up  to 
him  with  lhankfuineTs,  Love;* and  Joy, 
as  becomes  one  that  is  goi=  g  ro  receive 
fo  great  a  Mercy  from  him  5  and  hum- 
bly to  beg  thatGracewhich  may  prepare 
you, &  quicken  you  to,and  in  the  work, 
III.  Your  duty  towardsothers  in  this 
your  preparation, is,i.  To  forgive  thofe 
that  have  done  you  wrong,  and  to  con- 
fers your  fault  to  thefe  whom  you  have 
wronged,.and  ask  them  forgivenefs,  and 
make  them  amends  and  reltitution  fo 
far  as  it  is  in  his  power*  &  be  reconciled 
to  thofe  with  whom  you  are  fallen  out  j 
and  to  fee,  that  you  love  your  Neigh- 
bours as  your  felves,  Mat-  5.  2 5,24, 2?, 
26,44. /*/#•  5  16.  2-  That  you  feek 
advice  of  your  Palters,  or  fbme  fit  Per? 
fans,  in  cafes  that  are  roo  hard  for  your 
felves  to  refolve,  and  where  you  reed 
their  fp^ciai  help  9  That  you  loving- 
ly admonifh  them  th3t  you  know  do 
intend  to  communicate  unworthily, and 
to  come  thither  in  their  ungodlinefs, 
and  grofs  Sin  unrepented  of;  That  you 
(hew  not  fuch  hatred  of  your  Brother* 
as  to  fuffec  Sin  upon  h:m,  Lev.  ig 
But  teii  him  his  faults,  as  Chrift  hath 
1)  3  direlUd 


34         ^  Monthly  Preparation  for 
dire&ed  you,  -/W*m  8.15,16,1 7.  And  do- 
yourparts  to  promoteChrift'sDifcipline, 
and  keep  pure  the  Church,    See  1  Cor. 
5.  throughout. 

Dirett.  6.  When  you  come  to  the  holy 
Communion,  let  not  the  overscrupulous- 
regard  of  the  Ferjon  of  the  Mtnijier,  or 
the  company,  or  the  imperfeQions  oj  the 
miniftration,  difturb  your  meditations, nor 
call  away  your  minds  from  the  high  and 
ferious  imploywent  oj  the  day.  Hypo* 
crites  who  place  their  Religion  in  bodi- 
ly exercifes,  have  taught  many  weak 
Chriftians  to  take  up  unneceffary  fcru- 
pies,  and  ro  turn  their  eyes  &  obferva« 
tion  too  much  to  things  without  them. 
Queft.  But  Jhould  we  have  no  regard  to 
the  due  celebration  of  theje  f acred  My  tierics, 
and  to  the  Minifier,  &  Communicant  s^and. 
wanner  of  Admin ijira tion  ? 

Anfw.  Yes :  You  fhould  have  fo  much 
fegaid  to  them,  1.  As  to  fee  that  no- 
Thing  be  amifs  through  your  defaulr, 
which  is  in  your  power  to  amend.  2. 
'And  that  you  join  not  in  the  commit- 
ting any  known  fin*  Bur,  1,  Take  not 
every  fin  of  another  for  your  fin,  and 
think  not  that  you  are  guilty  of  that 

in 


to  the   Holy   Sacrament.  35 

in  others,  which  you  cannot  amend  \ 
or7  that  you  mult  forfake  the  Church, 
and  Worfhip  of  God,  for  thefe  corrup- 
tions which  you  are  not  guilty  of  5  or 
deny  your  own  Mercies,becaufe  others 
ufurp  them  orabufe  them.  -2.  If  you 
fufpeft  any  thing  impofed  upon  you  to 
be  finful  to  you,  try  it  before  you  come 
thither  $  and  leave  not  your  minds 
open  to  difturbance,  when  they  fhould 
be  wholly  imployed  with  Chrilt. 

Que  ft.  But  what  ij  my  Confcience  be 
not  fatisficd,but  1  am  ft  ill  in  doubt,  muft  I 
notjorbear  ?  Seeing  he  that  doubt etb  is  con- 
demned if  he- e*t,  bccaufe  he  eatetb  not  in 
Faith  $  for  vobatfcever  k  notoj  Faith  kSin. 

Anf.  The  Apoftle  there  fpeakethnot 
of  eating  in  the  Sacramenr9b\}t  of  earing 
meats,  which  he  doubteth  of  whether 
they  are  lawful3but  is  fure,thatir  is  law- 
ful ro  forbear  them-  And  in  cafe  of 
doubling  about  things  indifferent,  the^ 
farer  fide  is  to  forbear  them,  becaufe 
0  there  may  be  Sin  in  doing  5  but  there 
can  be  none  on  the  other  fide  in  for- 
bearing. But  in  cafe  of  Duties,  your 
doubting  will  not  difvb'ige  you  $  clfe  Men 
might  give  over  praying^nd  btaringGod's 

Word, 


;5        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
Word,    and  believing,    and  obeying  tbdr 
Rulers,  and  maintaining   their  Families, 
when  they  are  but  blind  enough  to  doubt  of  • 
it.     2.  Your  erring  Confcience  is  not  a 
Law-maker,  snd  cannot  make  it   your" 
duty  to  obey  ir,     For  God  isyourKing, 
and  the  Office  of  your  Confcience  is  to 
difcern  his  Liw,  and  urge  you  ro  obedi- 
ence, and  not  to  wake  you  Laws   of  its  ; 
own  :    So  that  if  it  fpeak  falfly,  it  doth 
not  oblige  you,    but    deceive  you.      It 
dotri  only  Ngare,Qt  infnare  you,  but  not 
obligate, ox  make  a  fin  a  duty,     it  calteth 
you  into  necefluy    of    finning  more   or 
lefs  till  you  reli>  quifh  the  error:    But 
in  cafe  of  fuch  dunes  as  thefe,    ir   is  a 
fin  to  do  them  with  a  doubting  Confci- 
ence,   but  (ordinarily)     it  is  a  greater 
fin  to  forbear.  , 

Object.  But  fome  Divides  write,  that 
Confcience  being  God's  Officer  %  when  it 
ttrm}\  God  bmfelf  doth  bind  vie  by  it  to 
jo  How  that  error,  &  the  evil  which  it  re- 
quiretb  becowetb  my  duty. 

An/.  A  dangerous  error  tending  to 
fubverfion  of  Souls  and  Kingdoms,  and 
highly  difhonouiable  ro  God.  God  hath 
made  it  your  duty  to  know  hisWill,ar-d 

do 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  3l 

do  if,  And  if  you  ignorantly  miftake 
him, will  you  lay  the  blame  on  him,and 
drawn  him  into  participation  of  your 
fin,  when  he  forbiddeth  you  both  the 
error  and  the  fin  ?  And  doth  he  at  once 
forbid  and  command  the  fame  thing? 
A?  that  very  moment,God  is  fo  far  from 
obliging  you  to  follow  your  error,  that 
he  (till  obiigeth  you  to  lay  it  by,  and 
do  the  contrary.  If  you  hyjLoucannot  $ 
I  anfwer,  Your  impotency  is  a  finful 
impotency  -,  and  you  can  ufe  the  means, 
in  which  his  Grace  can  help  you:  And 
he  will  not  change  his  Law,  nor  make 
you  Kings  and  Rulers  of  your  felves 
infleadofhim,  becaufe  you  are  igno; 
rant  or  impotent. 

Direft.  7.  In  the  time  of  a&mnlflration 
go  along  with  the  Minifler  throughout  the 
work,  and  keep  your  he  iris  clofe  to  Jefus 
Chrilijn  the  exercife  of  all  thofe  Graces, 
which  are  fuited  to  the  fever al  parts  cf 
the  a&minitlrathn.  Think  not  that  all 
the'  work  muft  be  the  Minifters.  It 
fhould  be  a  bufie  day  with  you,  8t  yout 
4earrs  fhould  be  taken  up  with  as 
nuch  diligence,  ds  yoiu:  hands  be  in 
Lour  common  labour  ;    but    not   in  3 

toilfome 


§8  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

toilfbme  weary  diligence,  bur  in  fuch 
delightful  bufinefs  as  becomerh  fie 
guelts  of  rheGod  of  Heaven, at  fo  fweec 
a  feaft,  and  in  the  receiving  fuch  inva- 
luable gifts. 

Here  I  fhoiald  diftinfrly  fhew  you, 

1.  What  Graces  they  be  that  you  muft 
there  exercife.  1L  What  there  is  ob- 
jectively prefented  before  you  in  the 
Sacrament,  to  exercife  all  thefeGraces. 
Ill  At  what  feafons  in  the  adminiltra- 
tion  each  of  thefe  inward  works  are  to 
be  done. 

I.  The  Graces  to  be  exercifed  are 
thefe  (befides  that  h  >ly  fear  &  reverence 
common  to  ali  woifhip)  I.  A  humble 
fcni'Q  of  the  odiouf  iefs  ofj#tf,3ndof  our 
undone  condition  as  in  our  felves,  and 
a  difpleafure  againft  our  felves,  and* 
loathing  of  our  felves,  and  melting  Re- 
pentance for  the  fins  we  have  commit-* 
ted  ;  as  againft  our  Creitor^  and  as  a- 
gainlt  the  Love  &  Mercy  of  a  Redeemer, 
and  as  agmlt  the  holy  Spirit  of  Giace. 

2.  A  hungring  and  tbirjiing  defire  after 
the  Lord  Jefus,  and  his  Grace,  and  the 
favour  of  God  and  communion  with 
him,  which  are  there  reprefented  and 

offered 


the  Holy  Sacramenf.  3? 

offered  to  the  Soul.  ?.  A  lively  Faub 
i/i^urRedeemer,hisDeath,Refurre£tion, 
and  Interceffion  ^  and  a  trutting  our  mi- 
ferableS^uls  upon  him, as  our  fufficient 
Saviour  and  help  5  and  a  hearty  accep- 
tance of  him  and  his  benefirs  upon  his 
offered  terms.  4.  A  joy  and  gladnefs  in 
the  fenfe  of  that  unfpeakable  Mercy 
wive  1  is  here  offered  us.  J.  A  thank- 
ful Heart  towards  him,  from  whom  we 
;  do  receive  it.  6  A  fervent  Love  to  him 
that  by  fuel)  Love  d oih  feek  our  Love. 
7,  A  Triumphant  life  of  Life  Eternal, 
which  is  purchjfed  for  us,  and  iealed 
to  us.  8.  A  willing  fiefs  gnd  refolution 
to  deny  our  fclves,  and  all  this  World, 
and  fuffer  for  him  that  harh  fuffered 
for  our  Redemption.  9.  A  Love  to  our 
Brethren,  our  Neighbours  and  our  Ene- 
mies,  with  a  readinefs  ro  relieve  them, 
and  to  forgive  them  when  they  do  us 
wrong,-  ic.  And  a  firm  Refolution  for 
future  Obedience,  to  our  Creator,  and 
Redeemer,  and  San&ifier,  according  to 
our  Covenant, 

II.  In  the  naming  qJ  thefe  Graces,  I 

have  named  their  objeQs  :  Which  you 

j  fhould  cbjfervt  as  diftinftly  as  you  can, 

3  that 


u 


40        A  Monthly  Trepamion  for 
that  they  may   be    operative*     l.  To 
help  your  Humiliation  and  Repentance, 
you  bring  thither  a  loaden    miferable 
S  ul,   to  receive  a  pardon  and    relief; 
And  you  fee  before  you  the  Sacrificed 
S  n  of  G  d,  who  made  his  Soul  an  of- 
fering for  Sin,  and  became  a  Curfe  for 
us  to  fa  ve  us  who  wereaccurfed    2.  To 
draw  out  your  defires, you  have  the  molt 
excellent    gifts  and  the    moll  needful 
Mercies    prefenred    to    you    thar   this 
World  is  capable  of :    Even  the  pardon 
of  fin,  the  Love  of  God,    the    Spirit  of 
Grace,  and    the   hopes  of  Glory,    and 
Chrift  himfelf  with  whom  ail  this  is 
given.     3.  To  exercife  your  Faith    you 
have  Chrift  here  fiift    reprefented  as 
Crucified  before  your  Eyes:   And  then 
with  his  benefits,   freely  given  you,and 
offered   to   your  Acceptance,     with   a 
Command   that   you   refufe   him  nor, 
4.  To  exercife  your  delight  and  glad- 
nefs,  you  have  this  Saviour  and  this  Sal- 
vation tendered  to  you  ;  and  all  that 
your   Souls  can  well   aefire  fet  befor< 
you.     5.  To  exercife  yourThankfuInefs 
what  could  do  more  than  fo  great 
Gift,  fo  dearly   purchafed,  fo  furelj 

yoi 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  4t 

fealed,  and  fo  freely  offered  ?  6.  To 
exercife  your  Love  to  God  inChiitt,you 
have  the  fulleft  manifeltation  of  his 
attractive  Love,  even  offered  to  your 
eyes,and  talte,and  heart, that  a  Soul  on 
Earth  can  reasonably  expeft  :  in  fuclt 
wonderful  condefcenfion,that  the  great- 
nefs  and  ftiangenefs  of  it  furpaffeth  a 
natural  Man's  belief.  7.  To  exercife 
your  hopes  of  Life  Eternal,  you  have 
the  prize  of  it  here  fet  before  you  $  you 
have  the  Gift  of  it  here  fealed  to  you  5 
and  you  have  that  Saviour  reprefented 
to  you  in  his  fuffering,who  is  now  therfr 
reigning,  thai  you  may  remember  him, 
as  txpeftants  of  his  glorious  coming  ra 
judge  the  World, and  glorify  you  with 
himfeif.  8.  To  exercife  yourfelf-denial 
and  refolution  for  fuffering,  contempt: 
of  the  World  and  fiefhly  Pleafures,  you 
have  before  you  both  the  greateft  ex-* 
ample  &  obligation,  that  ever  could  be 
offered  to  the  World  $  when  you  fee  and 
f  eceive'a  crucifiedChrift,that  fo  firange-j 
ly  denied  himftflf  for  you  •,  and  fet  fa 
iittlt  by  theWorld  &  flefh,  9.  To  ex* 
crcife  your  love  to  Brethren,  yea,  and 
Enemies,  you  have  his  example  before 
E  your 


4  2!  A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
your  eyes,  that  loved  you  to  the  Death 
when  you  were  Enemies:  And  you  have 
his  holy  fervants  before  your  eyes,who 
are  amiable  in  him  through  the  work- 
ings of  his  Spirir,and  on  whom  he  will 
jaave  you  (hew  your  love  to  himfelf. 
$&':  And  to  excire  your  Refolution  for 
future  Obedience,  you  fee  his  double 
Title  to  theGovernment  of  you,asCrea- 
tor  and  as  Redeemer  *  and  you  feel 
she  Obligations  of  Mercy  &Gratitude  * 
and  you  are  to  renew  a  Covenant  wirh 
jhim  to  that  end  $  even  openly  where 
£11  the  Churches  are  witneffes.  So  that 
vou  fee  here  a rePowerfulobje&s  before 
you  to  draiv  out  all  thefe  Graces,  and 
xfcat  they  are  all  but  fuch  as  the  work 
ftQuirexhyou  then  to  exercife. 

III.  But  that  you  may  be  the  readier 
ivhen  it  eometh  to  praSice,I  (hall  as  it 
were  lead  you  by  the  hand  through  all 
the  parts  of  the  Adminiftration,and  tell 
fba  when  and  how  to  exercife  every 
Grace,  and  thofe  that  are  to  be  joyned 
together  I  fhali  take  together,that  need- 
Ids  diftinftnefs  do  not  trouble  you. 

i.  When  you  are  called  up  axid  going 

to 


the   Holy   Sacrament.  4? 

to  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  exercife  youc 
Humility, Defire  and  Thankfulnefs,  and 
fiy  in  your  Hearts,  What  Lord,  dofl  thou 
callfucb  a  wretch  as  I  ?  What  ?  Ale  that 
have  Jo  oft  dejptjed  thy  Mercy  ?  And  wil- 
fully offended  thee,  and  preferred  tie  filth 
of  this  World,  andthe  pleafure  cf  the  fiefh 
before  thee  ?  Alas,  it  is  thy  wrath  in  hell 
that  it  my  due  :  But  if  hove  will  chorje 
fuh  an  unworthy  guett.and  Mercy  will  be 
honoured  upon  fucb  Jin  and  mifery,  I  come 
Lord  at  thy  call :  I  gladly  come,  Let  thy 
mil  be  done  $  and  let  that  Mercy  which  in» 
vitetb  me,  make  me  acceptable^?  gracioufly 
entertain  me,  and.  let  me  not  come  without 
the  weidingGirment,norunreverently  rufb 
on  holy  things^  nor  turn  thy  Mercies  to 
my  bane ! 

2.  WhentheMinifterisconfeffingfin; 
proftrare  your  very  Souls  in  the  fenfe 
of  your  unworthinefs,and  let  your  par* 
ticular  fins  be  in  your  eye,  with  thei* 
hainous  aggravations  5  the  whole  need 
not  thePhv  fician,but  the  tick.  But  here 
I  need  not  put  words  into  your  mouths 
or  minds,  becaufe  the  Minifter  goerli 
before  you,  &  your  hearts  mult  concuf 
with  his  Confellions,  and  put  in  alfg 
£  2  tha 


7|4       ^  Monthly  Preparation  for 

the  fecrec   fins   which    he  omitteth. 

3.  When  you  look  on  the  Bread  and 
Wine  which  is  provided  and  offered 
for  this  holy  ufe,  refnember  that  it  is 
the  Creator  of  all  things,  on  whom 
you  live,  whofe  Laws  you  did  offend  $ 

'and  fay  in  your  hearts,  0  Lord \bow great 
it  my  fence  ?  Who  have  broken  the  Laws 
cf  bim  that  made  me^nd  on  whom  the  whole 
Creation  doth  depend?  lhad  my  Being  jrom 
the,  and  my  datlyBreod;  andfbouldlbave 
required  ihee  with  dif obedience  ?  Father ,  I 
have  finntd  vgainft  Heaven  &  before  tbeef 
and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  Son. 

4.  When  the  words  of  the  Inftitution 
are  read,and  the  Bread  &  Wine  arefo- 
lemnly  confecrated,by  feparatingthem 
to  ihat  facred  ufe,  and  the  acceptance 
a  ad  blefling  of  God  is  defired,  admire*, 
the  mercy  that  prepared  us  a  Redeemer, 
and  fay,  0  God  bow  wonder j  ul  it  tbyW  if* 
dom  and  thy  Love  ?  How  ftrangely  dofl 
ibou  glorijj  thy  Mercy  over  fin  that  gave 
advantage  to  glorify  tbyjujiice?  Even  thou 
Pur  God  whom  we  have  offended,  haji  out 
0/  thy  own  Tresfury,  fatisfied  thy  own 
juftice,  and  given  us  a  Saviour  by  fucb  a 
Miracle  oj  WjfdomyLove,  WQondefctntiony 

4U 


the  Holy  Sacrament*  4$ 

Oi  Men  or  Angels  fhall  never  be  able  fully 

to  comprehend  :  So  didji  thou  love  the  fin* 
Jul  world,  as  to  give  thy  Son,  that  voho/oe* 
v*r  believe ih  in  him,  (bould  not  pertfh.but 
have  everhflmg  Lijc.  0  that  thou  baft 
prepared  us  Jo  jull a  remedy,  and  Jo  'pre- 
cious a  gijt^fanctijie  iheje  Creatures  to  be 
the  Reprefentative  Body  &  Blood  ofCbrift> 
and  prepare  my  Heart  for  fo  great  a  gift, 
end  Jo  high  and  holy  £7  honourable  a  work* 

5.  When  you  behold  the  Conftcrated 
Bread  &  Wine.dijcem  the  Lord's  Body  ,and 
reverence  h  «s  the  Reprejentative  Body 
eni  Blood  of  Jcfus  Chrifi  •,  and  take  heed 
cf  Prophaning  k5by  looking  on  it  as  com- 
mon Bread  &  Wine  \  Though  it  -fee  not 
Tranfublfantiare,  but  (till  is.v^ry  Bread 
and  Wine  in  its  Natural  beingy  yet  it  :s 
Chrijls  Body  and  Blood  in  reprefentation 
and  ejfetf.  Look  on  it  as  the  confecra^ed 
Bre-jdof  Lifa which  with  the  quicknir.g 
Spirit  mult  nourifh  you  to  Life  Erernal, 

6.  When  you  fee  the  B,ejk:*g of  the 
Bread,  and  jhe  Pouring  out  of  the  Wine, 
let  Repentance^nti  Love,  and  Dejire,  and 
Tbankfulnefa  thus  work  within  you.  0 
•wondrous  Love  !  0  hateful  Sin  !  Hw 
merciful.  Lord,  ha ft  thou  besn  toftnntrs  > 

E  5  And 


'4$        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

And  bow  cruel  have  we  been  to  our  felvn 
and  tbei  ?  Gould  Love  floop  lower  ?  Could 
God  be  merciful  at  a  dearer  rate  ?  Could 
my  fin  hive  done  a  more  horrid  deedy  than 
put  N*  Death  the  Son  of  God  }  How  Jmall 
a  mister  hath  tempted  me  to  that,  which  1 
might  have  avoided  at  a  cheap  rate  ?  At  fl 
bom  low  a  price  have  I  valued  his  Blood, 
when  1  have  finned  and  finned  again  J  or 
nothing  !  This  is  my  dowg  !  My  fins 
ners  the  Thorns,  the  Nails,  the  Spear  ! 
Van  a  murderer  ofChriJi  be  a  Jmall  offender^ 
O  dreadjuljuSice  !  It  was  1  andjuch  other*" 
Jinners  that  defcrved  to  bear  the  punijh* 
jnent  who  were  guilty  of  the  fin  $  and  to 
have  been  Jewel  jor  the  unquenchable 
flames  j  or  ever.  0 precious  Sacrifice  !  0 
bat  (Jul  fin  !  0  gracious  Saviour  !  How 
can  mans  dull  iff  narrow  heart,  be  duly 
tijfefted  with  fuch  tranfeendent  Things  ? 
Or  Heaven  mi  fie  its  due  imprejfion  upon 
an  inch  oj  flrjhl  Shall  I  ever  again 
tevl  a  dull  Apprebenfion  of  fuch  Love> 
Or  ever  have  a  favourable  thought  of  fin  ? 
Or  ever  have  a  f tariffs  thought  of  juflice  ? 
O  break  or  melt  this  hardened  heart,  this 
it  may  be  feme  what  conformed  to  my  cruel- 
$ed  Uri  !  ^Thc  tears  of  hovt  and  trine 

Re*),  n*  - 


the  Holy  "Sacrament.  H 

Repentance  are  eafier  xban  ibt  flames  from 
which  I  am  redeemed.  0  bide  me  in  theft 
wounds,  &  wajh  me  in  this  precious  Blood  ! 
This  U  the  Sacrifice  in  which  I  truft :  this 
is  the  Right eoufnefs  by  which  I  muft  be 
jufiified,  and  faved  from  the  Curfe  #/  thy 
violated  Law  1  As  thou  haft  accepted  this, 
0  Father,  for  the  World,  upon  the  Crofs, 
behold  it  flill  on  the  behalf  oj  [inner s  \ 
and  hear  his  Blood  that  cryctb  unto  thee 
for,  mercy  to  the  miferable,and  Pardon  us, 
and  accept  us  as  thy  reconciled  children, 
for  the  fake  of  ibis  Crucified  Chrifi  alone. 
We  can  offer  thee  no  other  Sacrifice  for  fin  j 
and  we  need  no  other. 

7.  When  the  Minifter  applyeth  hin> 
felf  to  God  by  Prayer,  for  the  efficacy 
of  this  Sacrament, that  in  it  he  will  give 
us  Chritt  and  his  benefits,  and  pardon, 
a'nd  juttifie  us,  and  accept  us  as  his  re- 
conciled Children  ;  join^  heartily  and 
earneltly  in  thefe  requefts,  as  one  that 
knoweth  the  need  and  worth  of  fueh  a 
Mercy. 

8.  When  the  Minifter  delivereth  yon 
the  confecratedBread  &:  Wine,  look  up- 
on him  as  the  mefFenger  of  Chrilt,  and 
hear  him  as  if  Chritt  by  him  faid   tQ, 


#8         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
you,  Take  this  my  broken  Body  &  Bloody 
and  feed  on  it  to  everlafimg  Life.      And 
take  mib  it  my  fealed  Covenant  £f  tber  tin 
the  fealed  teSimany  of  my  love,    and   the 
fealed  Par  dan  of  your  fins  ^  and  a  fealed 
gift  of  Life  Eternal^  Jo  be  //,  you  un» 
fe/gnedly  cenfent  unto  my  Covenant  %   and 
give  up  your  f elves  to  me  as  my  redeemed 
ones.    E^n  as  in  delivering  the  pofleiii* 
on  of  Houfe  or  Lands,the  deliverer  giv- 
eth  a  Key,  &c.  and  faith,  /  deliver  you 
this  Houfe,  and  I  deliver  you  this  hand  : 
So  doth  the  Minifter  by  Chrift'sAutho- 
f try  deliver  you  Chrift  and  Pardon  and 
Title  toEtemal  Life.    Here  is  an  Image 
of  a  facrificed  Chrift  of  God's  own  ap- 
pointing,which  you  may  lawfully  ufe: 
and  more  than  an  Image  *  even  an  in- 
verting  lnftrument,     by  which    thefe 
foigheft  Mercies  are  folemnly  delivered 
to  yoa  in  the  name  of  Chrift.  Let  your 
hearts  therefore  fay  with  Joy  &Thank- 
iulnefs,with  Faith  and  Love,C ymat chiefs 
bounty  of  the  Eternal  God  !     What  a  gift 
h  this  !     And  unto  what   unworthy  /in- 
ners  I     And  will  God  jioopfo  low  to  man  I 
And  come  Jo  near  him  }   And  thus  recon- 
cile his-  wrtklefs  enemies  ?  IV ill  he  freely 

Pardon 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  4* 

'Tar  don  all  that  I  have  done  >  And  tak* 
tnc  into  bis  Family  and  hove,  and  feed  rn& 
with  the  Flejh  and  Blood  of  Cbrifl}  1  be* 
lieve  ;  Lord  help  mine  unbelief.  I  bum* 
bly  and  thankfully  accept  thy  gifts  !  Open 
thou  my  heart,  that  I  t*ay  yet  more  joy* 
fully  6?  thankfully  accept  them  :  Seeing 
God  will  glorify  bis  love  &  mercy  by  juch 
incomprehendble  gifts  oj  tbefe \behold ,1-ord, 
*  wretch  that  needeth  all  this  mercy  !  And 
feeing  it  U  the  offer  of  thy  Grace  &  Cove- 
nant, my  Soul  doth  gladly  take  thee  for 
my  God  &  Faeber,  for  my  Saviour  &  my 
Sanfiifier.  And  here  I  give  up  my  J elf 
unto  thee,  a*  thy  Created,  Redeemed,  &  (I 
>hcpe)  Regenerate  one-,  as  thy  Own ^thy  Sub- 
jell  and  thy  Child, to  befavedtf/anfiifitd 
by  thee,  to  be  beloved  by  thee,  and  toLove 
thee  Evcrhtting  :  0  Jeal  up  tbis&vendnt 
and  Pardon,  by  the  Spirit,  which  thcujeal- 
eft  &  delivered  to  me  in  thy  Sacrament  : 
That,  without  referve,  I  may  be  entirely 
and  for  ever  thine  ! 

9  When  you  fee  the  Communicants 
receiving  with  you,ler  your  very  hearts 
be  united  to  the  Saints  in  Love,  &  fay, 
How  goodly  are  thy  Tents,  0  Jacob  /  How 
amiable  h  the.  Family  of  the  Lord !  Mow 

good 


To        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 
good  XfpUafant  is  the  unity  of  Brethren  > 
How  dear  to  me  are  the  precious  members 
of  my  Lord  !    1  bough  they  have  yet  all 
their /pots  &  uoeaknejjes,   which  he  par* 
donetb,  &  fo  mujl  we.     My  goodncfs   O 
Lord  extendeth  not  unto  thee  $    but  unto 
thy  Saints,  the  excellent  ones  on  Earthen 
tub  mi*  my  delight.     What  portion  of  my 
e/Iate  thou  required  I  willingly  give  unto 
the  Poor,  &  if  I  have  wronged  any  man,  I 
am  willing  to  rettore  it :  And  feeing  thou 
biji  loved  me  as  an  enemy,  and  forgiven 
me  Jo  great  a  debt,  I  heartily  forgive  thofe 
that  have  done  me  wrong,  (J?  love  my  ent* 
mies.     0  keep  me  in   thy  Family  all  my 
days,  for  a  day  in  thy  Court  it  better  than 
a  thou/and,   &  the  door- keepers   in  thy 
boufe  are  happier  than  the  moR  profperous 
0}  the  wicked,  Numb.  24.  5.   Pfal.  133, 
and  15-  4,  and  16.  j,  3.    Luk.  if,  i8„ 
Pfal.  84,  10. 

jo.  When  the  Minifter  returneth 
Thanks  and  Praife  to  God,  ftir  up  your 
Souls  fo  thegreareft  alacrity  ;  and  fup- 
pofe  you  faw  the  Heavenly  Hafts  of 
Saints  and  Angels  praifing  the  fame 
God  in  the  prefer  ce  of  his  Glory  ;  and 
think  with  your  feives,that  you  belong 

to 


tto  Uoly  Sacramtnt.  51 

to  the  fame  Family  &  Sojciety  as  they; 
and  arc  Learning  their  Work,and  mutt 
fhortly  arrive  at  theirPerfe&ion  -Strive 
therefore  to  imitate  them  in  Love  and 
Joy  v  and  let  your  very  Souls  be  pour- 
ed out  in  Praifes  BcThanksgiving:  And 
when  you  have  the  next  leifure  for 
your  private  thouhts  fas  when  the  Mi- 
nilter  is  exhorting  you  to  your  duty) 
exercife  your  love  &  thanks  and  Faith 
and  Hope  and  feifdenial  &  refolution 
for  future  obedience,  in  fome  fuch 
breathings  of  your  Souls  as  thefe  •; 
€0  my  gracious  God,  thou  halt  fur- 
c  pafTed  all  humane  comprehenfion   in 

*  thy  Love  /  Is  this  thy  ufage  of  un- 
1  worthy  Prodigals'  I  feared  left  thy 
4  wrath  asa  confumingFire  would  have 
4  devoured  fuch  a  guilty  Soul ^  &  thou 
c  wouldeft  have  charged  upon  me  all 

*  my  folly  :   But  while  I  condemned 

*  my  felf,  thou  haft  forgiven  &  juftified 
4  me  ^     and  furprized    me  with  the 

*  fweeteft  embracements  of  thy  Lew  f 
4  I  fee  now  that  Jhy  thoughts  are  above 

*  our  thoughts,  and  thy  ways  above  our 
1  ways,  and  thy  Love excellethrhelove 
I  of  Man,  even  mure  than  the  Heavens 

4  are 


f2         A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

*  are  above  the  Earth,  With  how  dear 
c  a  price  haft  thou  redeemed  a  wretch, 

*  that  deferved  thy  everlafting  Ven- 
geance   !      'With      how     precious 

*  and  fweet  a  Feaft  haft  thou 
€  entertained  me,  who  deferved  to  be 
1  caft  out  withthe  workersof  Iniquity  ! 

*  Shall  I  ever  more  flight  fuch  Love 
•as  this?  Shall  it  not  overcome  my 

*  Rebeliioufnefs  *  and  melt  down  my 
4  cold  and  hardened  heart  ?  Shall  I  be 
c  faved  from  Hell  and  not  be  thankful  h 
€  Angels  are  admiring  thefe  Miracles 

*  of  Love?  And  fhall  not  1  admire  them? 

*  Their  Love  to  us  doth  caufe  them  to 

*  rejoyce,  while  they  ftand  by  and  fee 

*  our  Heavenly  Fealt  ?  And  fhould  it 

*  not  befweeter  to  us  thatare  the  guefts 

*  that  feed  upon  it  ?  MyGod  how  dearly 
4  haft  thou  purchafed  my  Love  ?  How 

*  Itrangely  haft  thou  deferved  {£  fought 
'  it  ?  Nothing  is  fo  much  my  grief  and 
Vfhame,  as  that  Icananfwer  fuchLove, 

*  with  no  more  fervent  fruitful  Love* 

*  O  what  an  addition  would  it  be  to  all 

*  this  precious  Mercy,  if  thou  wouldft 

*  give  me  a  heart  to  anfwer  thefe  thine 
t  lnvitations,that  thy  Love  thus  poured 


Joul 


MP— — — — — iiMfmip  ■    ^ 

The   Holy   Sacrament!  53 

out,  might  draw  forth  mine,  and  my 
Soul  might  flame  by  its  approaching 
unto  thefe  thy  flames  ?  And  that  Love 
draw  out  by  the  fenfe  of  Love,  mighc 
be  all  my  Life  >      O  that  I  could 
Love    thee    as     as    I  would    Love 
thee  ?  Yea  as  much  as  thou  wouldeli 
have  me  Love  thee?  But  this  is  too 
great  a   Happinefs   for   Earth  !  Bug 
thoi^  haft  fhe wed  me  the  place  where 
I  may  attain  it !  My  Lord  is  here,  in 
full  pofleflion :  Who  hath  left  me  thefe 
pledges,- till  he  come  and  fetch  us  to 
himfelf,  K  feaft  us  there  in  our  Mas- 
ters Joy  jj  O  blefled  Place  !  O  happy 
Company  that  fee  his  Glory,  and  are 
filled  with  the  ftreams  of  thofe Rivers 
of  confolation  !  Yea  happy. we  whom 
thou  haft   called  from  our  dark  and 
miferabie  ftare,  and  made  us  Heirs  o£ 
that  Felicity,  and  paflengers  to  it,  and 
expectants  of  ir,  under  the  conduct  of 
fo  fure  a  guide1  O  then  we  fhallLove 
thee  without  thefe  finful  paufes  and 
defeats/  In  another  meafure,  and  ano- 
ther manner  than  now  we  do:  When 
thou  (hair  reveal  and  communicate 
thy  auiaftive  Love,  in  another  mca- 
F  l  fure 


?4        A  Monthly  Preparation  for 

*  lure  and  manner  than  now !  Till  then, 

*  my  God,  I  am  devoted  to  thee;  by  right 
c  and  Covenant  I  am  thine  /  My  Soul 

*  heie  beareth  witnefs  againft  my  felf, 
c  that  my  defetts  of  Love  have  no  ex- 
c  cufci  Thou  defervelt  all,  if  I  had  the 

*  Love  of  all.  the  Saints  in  Heaven  and 

*  Earth  to  give  thee.  What  hath  this* 
c  World  to  do  with  my  affe&ions  >  And 

*  what  is  this  fordid  conuprible  Flefh, 
?  that  its  Defires  and  Pleasures  fhould 
e  call  down  my  Soul,  and  tempt  it  to 
c  neglect  myGod?Whac  is  there  in  alhhe 
bufferings  that  man  can  lay  upon  me, 
e  that  I  fliould  not  joyfully  accept  them 

*  for  his  fake,  that  hath  Redeemed  me 

*  from  Hell,  by  fuch  unmatched  volun- 

*  tary  fufferings?  Lord,  feeing  thou  re- 
c  gardeft,  &ib  regardeft,  fo  vile  a  worm, 

*  my  heart,  my  t@ngue,my  handconfefs, 
1  that  I  am  wholly  thine.  O  let  me 
4  live  t&  none  but  thee,  and  to  thy  fer» 
♦vice,  find  thy  Sairus on  Earth!  AndO 
€  tez  me  no  more  return  unto  iniquity ! 

*  nor  venture  on  that  (in  that  killed  my 
\  Lord!  And  now  thou  haft  chofen  to 
e  low  a  dwelling,  O  be  not  If  range  to 
I  ^hs  Heart  that  thou  haft  fo  freely  cho* 

cfen! 


I  ~.    A -ilirfli     i         Vfrl     -^    Ji  '■£«hirilplni 

fT**  //^/y  Sacrament*  55 

c  fe  i !  O  make  it  the  daily  refidence  of 

4  thy  fpirit!    Quicken  it  by  thy  grace  5 

4  adorn  it  ivirh  thy  gifts ^  employ  it  ir> 

*  thy  Love,  delight  in   its  attendance 

4  on  thee  •,  refrefh  it  with  thy  joys  and 

1  the  light  of  thy  countenance^  and  de- 

4  ftroy  this  carnality,  felfifhnefs  and  un- 

P  belief-,  And  let  theWorld  fee  thotGod 

U  will  make  a  Palace  of  thelowelt  heart, 

P  when  he  choofeth  it  for  the  place  of 

#  his  own  abode, 

Direft.  8.  When  you cowebowe,  review 
the  Mercy  which  you  have  received,  and 
the  duty  which  yru  have  done,  and  the  Co- 
venant  you  have  Made  :  And,  I.  Bctak* 
your  f elves  10  Gcd  in  Praife  and  Prayer 
for  the  per  jelling  of  his  work :  And,  2. 
Take  heed  to  your  hearts  that  they  grow 
not  cold,  and  that  worldly  things  or 
diverting  trifles,  do  not  blot  out  the  faciei 
mpr'M~n*i  which  Chriji  hath  madey  and 
if)jt  t'oty  cool  net  qwek'yinto  their  former 
du!  and  fl  epy  frame.  3.  And  fee  that 
your  Lives  be  otfuited  by  the  grace  that 
youhive  here  received,  that  even  they  th.'t 
you  cenverfe  with  may  ferceive  that  you 
been  wiih  God.  Efpecially  when 
Temptations  would  draw  you  aguin  to 
F  a  finj 


5  6  The  Authors  Solemn 

fin;  and  when  the  injuries  of  Friends 
or  Enemies  would  provoke  you,  &  when 
you  are  called  to  reftifie  your  love  to 
Chrilt,  by  any  coltly  work  or  fuffering^ 
temember  then  what  was  fo  lately  be- 
fore y  >ur  eyes,  and  upon  your  hearty 
and  what  you  refolved  on,  and  what  a 
Covenant  you  made  with  God.  Yet 
^lidge  not  of  the  fruit  of  your  Receiv- 
ing, fo  much  by  feeling,  as  by  Faith; 
For  more  is  promifed  than  you  yet  pof- 

dizre  follows  the  Authors  folemn  ReJ?gna- 
iion  nj  Him f el}  to  Father,  Son  and  Ho- 
iy  Gfof.- 

My  God,  I  looH-.to  Thee,  I  come 
toThee,toTheealone!  NoMan, 
f  no  worldly  Creature  made  me;  none 

*  of  them  did  redeem  me;  none  of  them 

*  did  renew  my  Soul,  none  of  them  will 
%juitifie  me  at  thy  Bar,  nor  forgive  my 

n,  nor  fave  me  from  the  penal  Juf- 

6  rice :  None  of  them  will  be  a  full  or 

*  a  perpetual  felicity  or  portion  for  my 
c  Soul.  lam  not  a  (hanger  to  their 
•Pxomifes  and  Performances;  I  have 

*tpited 


c 


Refignation  of  himfelf,  &c.  fj 
*trufted  them  too  far,  andfollowed 
4  them  too  long/  O  that  ic  had  been 
4  lefs,  (though   I  muft  thankfully  ac- 

*  knowledge,  that  Mercy  did  early  fhew 
*me  their  deceit,  and  turn  my  enquir- 
T  ing  thoughts  ro  thee.-;  To  thee  i  re* 
;<  fign  my  felf,  for  I  am  thine  ovos !  To 
f  thee  I  fubjeft  all  Powers  of  my  Soul 

>  •  and  Body,  for  thou  art  my  rightful 
4  fovercign  Goyemoui:  From  thee  I 
%  thankjully  accept  of  all  the  Benefits 

■*  and  Comforts  of  my  Life  .-  In  thee -I 
**  expett  my  true  Felicity  and  Content ; 

*  To  know  thee,  and  love  thee,  and  de---- 
1  light  in  thee,  muft  be  my  bkfTednefs, 

c  or  I  muft  have  none.  The  little  taifes 
'of  this  fweetnefs.  which  my  thirfly 
\  Soul  hath  had,  do  tell  me  that  rfiwfe- 
c  is  no  other  real  Joy.    J  feel  rhat  thou 

*  haft  made  my  mind  to  know  thet,  and' 
?  I  feel  thou  haft  made  my  heart  to  love 
*thee,  my  tongue  to  praife  thee,  aha? 
T  ail  that  I  am  and  have  to  ferve  riv-e  / 
'And  even  in  the  panting  languifif'-ns*- 
%  defires  and  morions  of  my  Soul,  1  fil  3D 
1  that  thou,  and  only  thou,  art  itsieft- 
*";ng  place.0/ And  rhoug-i  L  ve  do  novir 
I  \Mifmtbiiti$fray;  and  cry, and  ***$* 


#38  Tbi  Authors  Solemn 

*  and  in  reaching  upward,  but  carina 
k  reach,  the  glorious  lighr,  the  bleffed 
■  knowledge,the  perfett  love,for  whici 
f  it  lorgeth;  yet  by  its  eye,  its  aim,  it! 

*  motions,  its  moans,  its  groans,  1  knot* 

*  its  meaning,  where  it  would  be,  and 
•I  know  its  end.     My  difplaced  Soul 

*  will  never  be  well,  till  it  come  neaj 
*to  thee,  till  it  know  thee  better,  till 
*it  love  thee  more.    It  loves  it  felf, 

*  and  julfifieth  that  felf  love,  when  ii 

*  can  love  thee:  It  loaths  it  felf,  and  ii 

*  weary  of  it  felf  as  a  lifelefs  burden, 

*  when  it  feels  no  pantings  after  thee, 

*  W«rt  thou  to  be  found  in  the  moftfa- 
*Ktary  defart,  it  would  feek  thee  5  oi 
*in  the  uttermoff  parts  of  the  earth,  ii 
P.  would  make  after  thee:  Thy  prefencc 

*  makes  a  croud,  a  Church.-  Thy  con- 

*  vei£emakethacIofer,orfolkary  wood 
*or  field,  to  be  kin  to  the  Angelica] 
>*  Chore.  The  Creature  were  dead,  U 
*£hou  wen  not  its  Life  r  and  ugly,  il 
f.  thou  wert  not  its  beauty y  and  infig 
*nifieant,  if  thou  wert  n®t  its  fenfe; 

*  The  Soal  is  dsformed,  which  is  with- 
*om  thine  Imjge^  and  lifelefs,  whieli 

*  iiveth  not  ia  jjpve  to  thee,>  if  km  hi 

'■aw 


Reftgnation  of  him/elf \  tec.        59 
1  not  its  pulfe,  and  prayer,  and  praife, 

*  its  conftant  breath:  The  Mind  is  un- 
1  learned  which  readeth  not  thy  Name 
f  on  all  the  World,  and  feeth  not  HO* 

*  L1NESS  TO  THE  LORD  engraved  up- 
1  on  the  Face  of  every  Creature.  He 
€  doteth  that  doubteth  of  thy  Being  or 

*  Perfe£lions,andhedreamethwhodoth 
«  not  live  to  thee.  O  let  me  have  no 
e  other  Portion  \  No  reafon,  no  love, 
1  no  life,  but  what  is  devoted  to  thee, 

*  employed  on  thee,  and  for  thee  here, 
c  and  fhall  be  perfected  In  thee,  the  on- 
c  ly  perfeft  final  objeft,  for  evermore. 

*  Upon  the  holy  Altar  erefled  by  thy 
4  Son,  and  by  his  hands,  and  hisMedi- 

*  tation,  I  humbly  devote  and  offer 
«  thee  THIS  HEART:  O  that  I  could 
c  fay  with  greater  feeling,  This  fiam\ng% 
'  loving,  longing  Heart  I  Bur  the  iacred 

*  firewiiieh  muft  kindle  on  my  facrifice, 
f  muft  come  from  thee ^  it  will  not  elfs 

*  aftend  unto  thee :  Let  it  confume  this 
t  drofsy  fo  the  nobrer  part  may  know  its 
1  home.  All  that  I  canfay  to  commend 
Ht  to  thrne  acceptance,  is,  that  I  hope 

*  k*s  waf&'d  m  previous  Bloocf,,  that 
I  fcksie  is  femetfting  In  it  that  is  thine 


66  Th&  Authors  Solemn 

c  own-,  it  Itill  looketh  towards  t'fieei. 
find  gioaneth  ro  rhee,  and  tolloweth 
€  after  thee,  a*  d  will  be  content  wirh 
«  Gold;  and  Mirth,  and  Honour,,  ard 
c  fuch  inferibur  Fooleries  no  more:  It 
c  lie? h  at  thy  doors,  and  will  be  enter* 
1  tain'dorperifh.  Though  alas, it  loves 
4  thee  not  as  It  would,  I  boldly  fay,  it 

•  longs  to  love  thee,  it  k>ves  to  love 

•  thee^    it  feeks,   it  craves  no  greater 

•  bleflednefs  than  perfeft  endlefsmutu* 

•  ai  love:  It  is  vowed  to  thee,  even  to 
f  thee  alone;  and  will  never  take  up^ 
■  with  fhadows  more$  but  is  refolved 
c  to  lye  down  in  forrow  and  defpair,  if 
1  thou  wih  nbr/be  its  REST  and  JOT. 
\  It  hateth  it  felf  for  loving  thee  no 
«  more y  accounting  no  want, deformity, 
€  fhame  or  pain  To  g*eat  and  grievous 
«  a  calamity. 

<  For  thee  the  glorious  HeffedGODJ 
'if  is  that  I  come  to  fe/r^CbriJi.  If  he 
c  did  not  reconcile  my  guilty  Soul  to 
'.thee,  and  did  not  teach  it  the  heaven- 

•  ly  Art  and  work  of  Love,  by  the  fweet 
1  Communications  of  thy  Eove,  he  could 
\  be  no  Saviour  for  m^  Thou  art  my 
J  only  ultimas  end-,  it  is  qhlf  a  guide 

'and 


Refignatlon  of  DwftJJ^  &c.'       61 

*  and  way  to  thee  thar  my  anxious  Soul 
€  hath  fo  much  ftudied:  And  none  can 
c  teach  me  rightly  to  know  thee,  and  to 
1  love  thee,  and  to  live  to  thee,  but  thy 

*  felf ;  It  muft  be  a  Teacher  ferif  from 
?  thee,  that  muft  conduct  me  to  thee* 
c  I  have  long  looked  round  about  me  in 
c  the  World,  to  fee  if  there  were  a  more 
1  lucd  Region,  from  whence  thy  Will 
c  and  Glory  might  be  better  feen,  than 
\  that  in  which  my  Lot  is  fallen :  But 
1  no  Traveller  that  I  can  fpeak  with, 
c  no  Book  which  I  have  turn'd  over,  no 
c  Creature  which  I  can  fee,  doth  tell 
4  me  more  than  JefusChrift.  I  can  find 
«  no  way  fo  fuitable  to  my  Soul,  no  me- 
'dicine  fo  fitted  to  myMifery,  no  bel- 
«  lows  fo  fie  to  kindle  Love,  as  Faith  in, 
'Chrift,  the  Glafs  and  Me'flenger  of 
4  thy  love.  I  fee  no  Dottrinefo  Divine 
4  an'd  Heavenly,  as  bearing  the  Image 
4  and  Superfcripiion  of  God  ^  nor  any 
ft  fully  confirmed  and  delivered  by  the 
c  Atteftatibn  of  thy  ownOmnipotency  ^ 
4  nor  any  which  fo  purely  pleads  thy 
1  Caufe,  &  calls  the  Soul  from  Seff  and 
'  Vanity,  and  condemns  its  Sin  and  pu- 

*  rifieih  it,  and  leadcth  ic  directly  unto 


thee;  and  chough  my  former  Igno: 
ranee  d»  fabled  me  to  look  hack  tot  lie 
Ages  pift,  and  to  fee  the  Methods  of 
thy  Providence,  and  whe'i  I  look  into 
thy  Word,  difabled  me  from  feeing. 
the  beauteous  Methods  of  thy  Truths 
thou  haft  given  me  a  glimpfe  of  clear- 
er light,  which  hath  difeovered  the 
Reafons  and  Methods  of  Grace, which 
1  thendifcerned  not:  And  in  fhe  midft 
of  my  molt  hideous  Temptations  and 
perplexed  Thoughts,  thou  kept  alive 
the  root  of  Faith,  and  kept  alive 
the  Love  to  thee  and  unto  Holbefs 
which  it  had  kindled.  Thou  haft  mer- 
cifully given  me  the  Witneft,  in  my 
felf  y  not  an  unreafonable  Perfwtfion  in 
my  Mind,  but  that  renewed  Nature* 
thofe  Holy  and  Heavenly  Defires  and 
delights,  which  fure  can  come  from 
nonebutthee.  And  O  how  much  more 
have  I  perceived  in  mmy  of  thy  Ser- 
vants, than  in  my  fe!f !  Thou  haft  cdt 
my  lot  among  the  Souls  whom  GbriR 
hath  healed.  I  have  daily  converfed 
with  thofe  whom  he  hath  raifed  from 
the  dead.  I  have  feen  the  Po/vver  of 
thy  Gulps!  upon  Sinners:  All  the  love 

•  that 


Keftgnati  n  of  hiwfe!f,   &c.       S| 
c  that  ever  1  perceived  ki-  d  ed  towards 

*  ihee;  and  all  the  true  Obedience  that 

<  ever  I  fiw  performed  to  thee,  hath 
4  been  effected  by  the  Word  of  Jefus 
cChrilt:  How  oft  hath  his  Spirit  help* 
c  ed  me  to  pray  /  And  how  often  haft 
c  thou   heard    thofe  Prayers  /    Whac 

Pledges  haft  thou  given  to  my  ftag- 
*gering  Faith,  in  the  works  which 
€  Prayer  hath  procured,  both  for  my 
'*  felf  and  many  others  ?  And  if  Confi- 
€  dence  in  C h r i It  be  yet  deceit,   muft  I 

<  not  fay  that  thou  haft  deceived  me  > 

<  Who  1  know  canft  neither  be  deceiv- 
c  ed,  or  by  any  faifliood  or  fedu&ioa 
,  deceive. 

*  On  thee  therefore,  O  my  dear  Re- 
«  decmer,  do  I  caft  and  truft  this  finful 

*  Soul  !    With  Tbee  and  with  thy  Holy 

*  Spirit  I  renew  my  Covenant ;  I  know 
c  no  other  ,  I  have  no  other  \  I  can  have 
«  no  otherSaviour  but  thyfelf :  To  thee 
« I  deliver  up  this  Soul  which  thou  haft 

*  redeemed,  not  to  be  advanced  to  the 

*  wealth, and  honours,  and  pleafures  of 
«  this  World  \  but  to  be  delivered  from 
« them,  and  to  be  healed  of  Sin,     and 

*  brought  to  God  *  and  to  be    faved 

M  "-  /      iflGttl 


*  from  this  prefent  evil  World,  whic! 
Ms  the  Portion  of  the  Ungodly  anc 
€  Unbelievers  :  To  be  wafhed  in    th} 

*  Blood,  and  iiluminated,quickned  anc 
c  confirmed  by  thy  SPIRIT  •,  and  con 
1  du£ted  in  the  ways  of  Holinefs  and 
f  Love  ;  And  at  laft  to  be  prefented 
€  jultified  and  fpotlefs  to  the  Father  o\ 

*  Spirits,  and  poffefled  of  the  Glory 
.-  c  which  thou  haft  promifed.  O  thou 
m    c  that  haft  prepared  fo  dear  aMedicine 

c  for  the  cleaning  of  polluted  guilty 
?  Soulsjeave  not  this  unworthySoul  in 

*  guilt,  or  in  its  Pollution  !  O  thou 
cthat  knoweft  the  Fatherland  hisWill, 
c  and  art  neareft  to  him,&moft  beloved 
1  of  hirrbcaufe  nae  in  my  degree  to  know 
?  theFather;  acquaint  me  with  io much 
c  of  his  WilLas  concerneth  myDuty,  or 
c  my  juft  Encouragement :  Leave  not  my 
c  Soul  to  grope  in  Darknefs,  feeing  thou 
c  art  the  Sun  and  Lord  of  Light,  O 
c  heal  my  eftranged  Thoughts  of  God  / 

*  Is  he  my  Light,  and  Life,  and  all  my 
'hope?   And  muft  I  dwell  with  him 

*  for  ever  ?  And  yet  fhall  I  know  him 
c  no  better  than  thus?  Shall  I  legtn  no 
€  moie  that  have  fuch  a  Teacher?  And 

"     rfhall 


Re  fig  nation  of  himfelf,  Kt.  6% 
1  fhali  I  get  no  nearer  him, while  I  have 
'  a  Saviour  and  a  Head  fo  near  ?  O  give 
'my  Faith  a  clearer  profpeft  into  thac 
c  better  World  \  And  let  me  not  be  fa 

*  much  unacquainted  with  the  Place  in 
1  which  I  molt  abide  for  ever  !  And  as 
J  thou  haft  prepared  Heaven  for  Hoi/ 
c  Souls,    prepare  this   too  unprepared 

*  Soul  tor  Heaven,  which  hath  not  long 
1  to  thy  on  Earth.    And  when  atDeath 

*  I  refign  it  into  thy  Hands,receiveit  as 
\  thine  own,  and  finifh  the  Work  which. 
4  thou  halt  begun,  in  placing  it  among 
1  the  bleffedSpirits^who  are  filled  with 
«  the  fight  &  love  of  God#  I  truft  thes 
c  living  i  let  me  trult  thee  dying,  and 
c  never  be  aftiamed  of  my  truft, 

4  And  unto  Thee,  the  Eternal  Holjr 
1  Spirit,  proceeding  from  rhcpather  and 
'the  Son,  the  Communicative  LOVE 
4  who  condefcendeft  to  make  Perfttf  the 
4  Ele£t  of  God,do  I  deliver  up  this  dark 

*  imperfect  So^to  be  further  renewed, 
4  confirmed  and  perfected,  according  to 
4  the  holyCovenanr.  Refufenot  toblefs 
1  it  with  thine  indwelling  S£operations, 
4  quicken  it  with  thy  Life-,  irradiate  ic 
I  by  thy  light ;  fanStifig  it  by  thy  love- 

G  •  actuate 


66  The  Authors  Solemn 

<afruate  it  purely, powerfully  and  con 
'fta-ntly  by   tby  holy  motions*        Anc 

*  though  the  way  of  this  thy  facrec 
1  influx  be  beyond  the  reach  of  human< 

*  Apprehenfion  ^  yer  let  me  know  th< 
'  reality  and  faving  Power  of  it,  by  th< 
€  happy  Effetts.  Thou  art  more  tc 
f  Souls,than  Souls  to  Bodies,tbanLighi 

*  to  the  Eyes,  O  leave  not  my  Soul  as 
c  a  Carrion  deftitute  of  thy  Life  ;  noi 
c  its  Eyes  as  ufelefs,  deftitute  of  thy 
c  Light  5  nor  leave  it  as  a  fenfelefs 
4  block  without  thy  Motion*      The  re- 

*  membrance  of  what   I  was  without 

*  thee,  doth  make  me   fear  left   thou 

*  flVouldeft  with-hold  thy  Grace.  Alas, 

*  1  feel, I  daily  feel  that  1  am  dead  to  all 

*  good,and  all  that's  good  is  dead  to  me, 

*  if  thou  be  not  the  Life  of  all.  Teach- 

*  ings  and  Reproofs,Mercies&Corre£H- 

*  ons,  yea,  the  Gofpel  it  felf,and  all  the 

*  liveiieft  Books  and  Sermons,  are  dead 

*  to  me,becaufe  I  am  dead  to  them :  Yea, 

*  God  is  as  no  God  to  me>  and  Heaven  as 
s  no  Heaven5andChriftas  noChrift,and 
6  the   cleareft  evidences  of  Scripture- 

*  verity  as  no  Proofs  at  all,  if  thou  re- 

*  prefent  them  not  with  Light  &Power 

'to 


Eejlgnatlon  of  himfelf^Hc.  6 J 
%  to  my  Soul :  Even  as  all  the  Glory  of 
c  the  World  is  as  nothing, to  me  with- 
co.uttheLighc  by  which  it's  feen.  O 
|  thou  that  haft  begun,  and  given  me 
c  thofe  heavenly  Intimations  &c  Dejites, 
|  which  Flefh  and  Blood  could  nevet 
'give  me,fuffer  nor  myFolly  toquencii 
'thefe  fpark?,  nor  this  brutifh  Fltfh  to 
c  prevail  againlt  thee,  nor  the  Powers 
I  of  Hell  to  ftifle  and  kill  fuch  a  hei- 
|  venly  Seed.  O  pardon  thai  Jolly  and- 
c  Wilfulnefs,which  hath  too  often,  too 
'obdurately,  and  too  unthankfully 
■  €  ftriven  agalnft  thy  Grace  ;  and  deparc 
c  not  from  van  unkind  and  finful  Soui  I 
'  I  remember  with  grief  8t  fhame,  how 

*  I  wilfully   bore  down  thy  Motions  ^ 

*  punifli  it  not  with  Defertion,and  give 
c  me  not  over  to  myfelf.  Ait  thou  not 
$  in  Covenant  with  me,  as  my  Sanflifier, 
\  and  ConJir^er,zndCcmfcr:er  ?  1  r.ever 
1  u^derrook  to  do  thefe  things  for  mvt 
c  felf  }  but  I  content  that  thou/houldelt 
'work  them  on  me.  As  thou  art  the 
'  Agent  andAdvocare  of  Jefus  my  Lord, 
'  O  plead  his  caufe  effcftually  in  mjr 
j  Soul,  againft  the  S-uggeftions  of  Satan 
I  and  my  Unbelief-,  and  fiaifh  his  heal- 

G  2  I  ing 


68  The  Authors  Solemn 

*  ingfaving  work;  &  let  not  theFIefh  e 
'  World  prevail.  Be  in  me  (he  refiden 
«  witifefs  of  my  Lord, the  Author  of  m 
€  Prafers,  (he  Spirit  of  Adoption,  thi 
€  Seal  of  God,  srr.d  the  earneft  of  mini 
€  Inheritance.     Let  nor  my.  Nights  hi 

*  io  long    and   my  Days  fo  fhorr,    no: 
c  Sin  eclipfe  thole  beams*   which   havi 

*  often  illuminated  my  Soul.   Without 
c  thee,   Books    are    fevSeltfs  Scrawls, 

*  Studies   are  Dreams,  Learning   is  a 
€  Glow- Worm,  and  Wij  is  bur'wanron- 

*  ncfs;iiT;perriner:cy  &  folly,  Tranfcribe 

*  thofe  fscred  precepts  on  my  ft  cart, 
'  which  by  thy  dictates  snd  Inspiration 

*  'are  recorded' in  thy  Holy* Word.  I  re» 
€  fiife  hot  thy  help  for  rears  &  groans  ; 
'  But  O  fihed  abroad  that  love  upon  my 
c  Heart, Which  may  keep  it  in  3  conti- 
c  nual  Life  of  Love.     And  teach  me  the 

*  wofk  which  I  muff  do  in  Heaven  : 
}  Refiefh  my  Soul  with  the  delights  of 
6  holinefs,  and  the  Joys  which  arife 
f  from  the  believing  Hopes  of  theever- 

*  laltingjoys:    Exercife  my  Heart  and 

*  Tongue  in  the  holyPraifes  of  myLord. 
€  Strengthen  me  in  Sufferings  ;  and 
c  conquer  the  terrors  of  Death  and  Hell. 

!  Make 


Rejignaticn  of  him/elf,  &ei  69 
9  Make  m^he  more  heavenly,  by  how 
4  much  the  fafter  I  am  haftning  to  Hea- 
1  ven:  And  let  my  laitThoughts,Words 
j  I  andVVorks  on  Earth,  be.like.ft  to  thefe 
«  which  fhali  be  my  firft  in  the  itateof 

*  glorious  Immortality  ^  where  the 
1  Kingdom  is  delivered  up  to  theFather, 
€  and  GOD  will  for  ever  be  All,  and  In 
4  all:  Of  whom,  and  through  whom,'. 
1  and  to  whom  areallThingSjTo  whom 

*  be  Glory  for  ever.     Amen. 


A  Pathetical  Meditation  on  the  PoJJiin of 
Cbriji  5   to  be  read.  by  Communicants  be- 
fore :bey  partakz  of  the  Sacrament  of  the 
.  Lord's,  Supper.      By  another  Hand, 

Q^eft.¥7|7#<//  ie-tle  Sacrament  of  the* 
*  V  V    Lord's  Supper  ? 

Artfw.  h  confiftsof  two  vifible  5'gn^ 
Bread  and  Wins*  which  by  the  Lords  ap- 
pointment was  to  reprefent  to  the  Re- 
ceiver his  bloody  Death,  that  fo  his 
D'fciples  may  keep  it  firefly  in  Jheir 
Memories, 

Queft.  But  k  it  only  to  remember  ton 
there  was-  a  Cbrigtfjtd  ibat  be  ms-cTHdJadj   \ 
*nd  no  mors  p 

G  3  Anfvv 


70         A  Pathetkal  Meditation 

Anfw%  Experience  tell  as^that  fuch'S 
bare,  remembra nee  as  that,  doth  little 
move  upon  cheHeartand  upon  the  Af- 
ffeftions^and  fo  wilido  little  or  no  good. 
It  is  not  the  remembrance  of  any  Mans 
Death  that  doth  of  it  felf  affeftme,but 
as  I  confider  him  as  Fathers  as  a  Hus? 
hand jOt  as  a  Friend,  with  many  other 
Ixprelfions  of  his  love  to  me  when  li'v 
log,  this  will  exceedingly  Work  upon 
sha  Heart,  foastocaufe  Sorrow  and 
Grief,  and  the  like. 

Que  ft.  What  is  it  then  that  I  tnufl  call 
„9o  mind,  when  1  think  upon  a  bleeding  and 
dying  Gbriji./o  a*  to  affrfl  my  Heart  ? 

An/to.  I.  Trhe  cruel  and  bloody  nature 
$>f  his  Death  y  here  you  may  confider 
the  whole  ftory  of  his  Arraignment, his 
feeing  hetrayedxby  his  own  Apoftle,  his 
fceing-  fpit  upon  and  crowned  with 
thorns,  his  being  mocked  and  jeered  by 
patting  a  reed  into  his  Hand  inltead  of 
a  Scepter,  afterwards  his  bearing  of  a 
Crofs,  and  bis  being  nailed  to  it  in  his 
Hands  and  Feet$  after  that,  his  beirrg 
pierced  through  with  a  Spear  $  this 
Mat.  27.  willfully  acquaint  you  with, 
2»  TJw.  Gaufcs  of  his  Death  5   it.  was  no 


m-tHeTaffion  ofCbrifi  Ti 

natural  Difeafe,  neither  was  it  for  any 
evil  done  of  his  own,  but  for  us.  tie 
bore  our  iniquities*  upon  the  Grofs*  g. 
The  Effe8*of  his  Death,  which  was  to 
obtain  Power  of  his  Father  to  conquer 
theDevil,and  pull  us  out  of  his  Hands*, 
to  break  our  Hearts,  and  to  conquer  us 
to  himfelf,  to  pardon  our  Sins,  and  to 
give  unto  us  Eternal  Life  with  himfelf 
in  Glory,  and  this  upon  our  Faith  and 
lincere  Repentance.  Now  from  all 
thefe  Things  are  your  Meditations  to 
be  raifed,  before  you  come  to  this  Sa- 
crament, and  when  you  are  receiving 
of  in 

Ail  Example  of  Meditation ,1  have  here 
fet  you  down  as  folioweth. 

Away  thefe  wanton  wanderingworld- 
ly  Thoughts,  you  are  clogs  to  my  Soul. 
Away  all  trifling  worldly  Bufinefs,\  can- 
not now  attend  yourcall,royHeart  hath 
now  fomething  elfe  to  do.  Adieu  my 
Friends,  farcwel  my  Husband,  Wife- and, 
Child,  I  mult  go  fee  my  bleeding  Lor d$ 
that's  dearer  to  me  than  you  all.  Come 
now  mySouljthou  art  ak>ne,thou  know* 
clt  the  way,make  hafts,  and  fpeed  •,  I00M 
yonisrrfee  how.  the  Beopl'e  flock>  croft 

but 


72  ^  A  Pathetic jI  Meditation 
but  this  va/e,&c  climb  but  up  this  mount, 
thou  wilt  foon  arrive  ar  bloody  Go/gotbaJ 
where  thou  (halt  fee  thy  bleeding  and 
dying  Saviour  to  figh  and  linger  out 
dying  Life  on  theCrofs  in  love  for  thee. 
This,  this  might,  Ob  my  5^/,have  been 
thy  Day,  that  thou  might'ft  Ii3ve  been 
the  Prifoner  •,  this  I  fay  might  have  been 
the  Day  in  which  thou  might'ft  have 
drunk  the  bitter  cup'of  the  fierce  anger 
of  Gad.  But  look  yonder !  There  he 
gees  that  mult  drink  up  the  dregs,  and 
all  for  thee.  Look  again  I  There  he 
goes  that  mult  lay  down  his  Life  that 
thou  maiit  be  reprieved.  But  come,*^ 
Soul,  draw  up  a  little  nearer,thou  canft 
not  fee  him  well  at  fo  great  adiftance^ 
ifand  here  8c  thou  wilt  lee  him  palling  *r 
look, there  he  goes  with  a  train  of  Vir- 
gins following.  But  fee  how  cruelly 
thefe  barbarous  Jews  do  ufe  him,  they 
mike  him  bear  hisCrofs  himfelf,  and 
prefs  his  wearied  fainting  Limbs  above 
his ■ftreng.th*  fee  how  they  laugh  and 
fcoff,and  wag  their  Heads  as  if  he  were 
their  May  game*  Met  hi  oka-  my  Heart 
boils  up  with  rage  to  fee  thefe  cruel ries 
Kvenged^  Qh\  How  could  th^bU-fTed 


or)   i  7* 

God  forbear  r.    i  sfTed  S 

wronged  ?  Why -dr.  he 
Legions  or  Angel'sTof  his  refcue 
doth  he  nor  fend  d?oWn  fire  from  I 
upon  the  Ffads  of  thefe  his  S  ns  ene- 
mies, and  fo  consume  them  ?    Bur  flay 
nty  joolifh  He*rt9  thou  knowefi    not   what 
Sftrir  thou  art  of  $  this  debt  was  owing, 
aVsd  ir  muft  be  paid  5  God    requires  fo 
ittkcl);  and  ir  muft  begiven,or  ihouc^rit 
nor  be  faved.     Thy  Lord  did  know  this 
well  enough, for  this  he  came  fromHea- 
ven,  and  committed  himfelf  ro  the  rage 
of  Men  i    he  knew  he  muft  endure  all. 
thefe  reviling?,  and  doth  ir  grieve  thy 
S  )trl  to  fee  him  thusahafed  >    Sray  but 
a  while,  and  thou  (halt  fee  him  more  $ 
look  up,  my  S^v/,  come,    rell  me  what 
thou  fecit  ?     Oh  I  cannot,   forrow   ties 
my  Tongue,  1  cannot  fpeak  ;    1  fee  and 
h.ar  thofe  things  that  I  want  a  Power 
t)  ut;ter.     1   fee  a    troop  of  Virgins  fol- 
lowing bim,  their  weeping  Eyes  \    their"-*] 
blubbering  LipsAheirfigbs  and  tbrobbings 
fpeak  them  mourners.      I  fee  my  Lord 
locks  towards  them,  and  kindly  chides 
their  loving  forrow,  Why  vceep  )*,    0 ye 
Daughters  */  Jerifahm  ?    Weep  not  jor 


74  -A  Pathetic al  Meditation 

7?je.  My  Lord  !  What  need  was  there 
for  that  Queflion  ?  Should  not  they 
weep  when  thou  muft  bleed  ?  Would  noc 
their  Eyes  have  been  flints,  if  that  then 
they  (hould  not  drop  Tears  for  thee, 
when  as  thou  were  about  to  pour  out: 
thy  Life  and  Blood  for  them  ?  Ah  ! 
Could  they  chufe,or  do  Iefs  than  weep 
to  fee  thine  innocent  felf  among  a  herd 
of  Tygers-!  WhatfhouldaL^/w3  do  there? 
They  faw  thee  in  their  ravenous  Jaws 
about  to  tear  thy  Heart,  to  fuck  out 
all  thy  Blood,&  leave  thee  dead.  Have 
I  not  fat  and  read,  and  read  and  wepc 
viewing  over  the  Itory  j  and  could  they 
forbear  that  with  their  watryEyes  faw 
this  fcene  then  aUel  ?  Bat  whither,  O 
whither,  O  ye  blinded  fews,  are  ye 
dragging  this  my  Lord  ?  My  Spirit  be- 
gins to  fainr,I  now  can  look  no  longer, 
my  Heart  now  begins  to  fwell  witty 
grief,  it  muft  now  bre.ik5or  I  muft  vent 
it  at  mine  Eyes  in  dreams !  Look  !  See 
the  H.mmer  and  Nails,  the  Hammer 
lift  up  to  (hike.  Bloody  Man!  Thou 
durft  not  fure  ;  furely  thou  doft  not 
know  wft^Handsand  Feet  thou  art  now 
piercing  r  is  is  the  Prince  and  Saviour 


on  tbe  ToJJion  of  Cbrifl.  7? 

of  tbe  World.  Foolifh  Heart  /  See  how 
thou  art  miftaken  $  look,  fee  it's  done, 
the  Nails  are  driven  to  the  Head  7  See 
Jhow  the  criwfon  Tears  ruj?  trickling 
£own  his  hands  and  Feet,  atr3  fee  how 
hardened  Hearts  be  laughing  at  it !  Oh 
filly  foolifh  blinded  Men  !  What  laugh 
you  at  ?  This  veryC^r/ff  whom  now  you 
mock,  (hall  be  your  fudge  $  this  very 
Man  Jefus  whom  you  have  thus  abujed 
fhali  come  attended  with  thoufands  of 
Angels,with  the  found  of  Trumpets,and 
fhail  fir  upon  your  Life  &.  De-Jtb.  Hm 
whom  you  now  have  nailed  to  a  Crofs, 
bath  Gcd  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Savi- 
our. What  then  will  youdo  when  that 
great  and  terrible  day  of  theLord  fhali 
come  >  How  will  you  lock  him  in  the 
Face  whom  you  have//?//  on  ?  How  will 
you  dare  to  fpeak  a  word  for  your  felves 
to  him  whom  you  have  nailed  to  a  Tree 
2nd  crucified}  His  wounds  in  Handsy 
Side  and  Feet  fhali  all  bear  witnefs  a- 
gainft  you9  and  his  innocent  Blood  that 
youhave  fpiit  fhali  cry  aloud  about  the 
Throne  for  vengeance  againft  you;  your 
Flouts  fhali  then  be  turned  into  Tears, 
and  your  Taunt  $  inioLamentations*  And 

bow 


7  5  A  Pathetic  a!  Meditation 

how  will  you  then  look  an  I  cry  when 
God  paffeth  fentence  on  you,  &  thrufts 
you  down -to  Hell  to  bear  the  puniih* 
pient  of  your  Sins  ?  This  is  the  Lord 
that  came  tofpare  yoqr  Lives,yer  your 
wicked neis  fpased  not  his*  and  how  at 
length  can  you  think  to  efcape  with 
yours. 

But  once  again,  look  up  my  $£#/,and 
fee  what  is  become  of  thy  nailed  and 
crucified  Lord  :  Ah  me  /  He  is  not  quite 
dead,  look  how  he  gafps  and  pants  for 
Life  /  Oh  how  his  Looks  are  changed/ 
How  pale  and  wan  do  1  fee  hisCheeks  / 
The  Blood  and  all  the  Spirits  are  quite 
drawn  from  them.  Methinks  hefhould 
be  dead,  for  fee  how  weak  his  Keck  is 
grQWn,that.it  is  notable  tofupporthis 
head  that  lies  a  dying  on  his  bleeding 
Breaft.  What  yet  not  dead!  See  how 
he  (hakes  and  (firs  his  dying  Limbs  ! 
What  gafps  and  groans  do  I  hear  him 
fqtch,  as  if  his  Soul  were  Itruggling  to 
get  our?  Hark,hark,hey/>rtf&r  /  Oh  let 
me  catch  the  leaft  breath  of  my  dying 
Saviour.  What  faith  my  Lord  ?  Hark, 
what  doft  thou  not  hear  !  What  ?  My 
God,  my  God,  why  baft  thou  forfcifon  me  ? 


on  the  Vajfion  of  Cbrift.  77 

I  am  amazed  to  hear  thefeWords.  How 
couldft  thou  fufpe£t  thy  Fathers  Love  > 
How  could  he  be  far  from  16^, who  was 
one  with  tbyfelf  ?  But  Oh  !  This  is  but 
the  voice  of  his  JUanbood^ni  not  of  his 
Godhead.  It  was  the  voice  of  the  dying 
and  bleeding  Man  fejus^  not  the  voice 
of  the  God  Jefus. 

But >Ob  my  Lor d,whzt  are  thofe  pains 
and  gripes  thou  feeleft^that  brings  f brtht 
thefe  complainings  ?  But  why  do  1  ask 
this  Queftion  ?  Hath  he  not  been  all 
this  while  drinking  up  the  cup  his  Fa- 
ther gavehim,the  bitter,  and  fow'r,ancL 
poyfonous  cup  of  his  Fathers  wrath, 
which  I  and  all  the  World  had  elfs 
irank  of?  He  juft  now  fwallowed  down 
the  laft  mouthful  the  dregs, whofe  bit- 
ter  noifomc  tafte  hath  fent  forth  thefe. 
fateful  Lamentations  -,  fdr  mark,he  had 
no  fooner  fpoke  thofe  words,,  but  he 
gafped  his  laft. 

The  Gaujes  of  his  Death. 
And  muft  the  Son  of  God  be  humbled 
thus  ?  Muft  he  that  was  from  everlaft- 
ing,  raifed  and  advanced  above  every 
Man  in  Heaven  and  Earthy  he  that  lay- 
in  the  arms  and  breaftof  God,loved  b\' 
H     ~  the* 


t. 


7 8  A  Patbetical Meditation 

the  Fathered  his  only  Son  ^  honoured, 
adored,  admired  and  beloved  of  ten 
thoufand  times  ten  thoufands  ofAngels^ 
but  mult  this  God  leave  all  this  Glory, 
and  change  that  fweet  Heavenly  and 
delighifome  Palace  for  fb  mean,fo  low, 
fo  dirty  a  cottage^  as  to  be  born  a  Man, 
And  muft  his  entertainment  at  firlt  be 
no  berrer  than  a  Stable  or  a  Manger 
could  give  him  ?  No  fooner  muft  he 
begin  to  live,bu t  muft  an  enemy  affault 
his  Life  i  Mult  he  travel  up  and  down 
the  Earthjand  fpend  his  time&ttrergth 
in  preaching  glad  tidings  to  miferable 
undone  Men,  and  fill  the  World  with 
Jigr.sandwonders.Sc  not  defer  ve  fomcch 
of  Men  as  a  houfe  to  dwell  in, or  a  hole 
to  put  his  head  in  ?  And  after  all  this 
humble,  holy,  long-fuffering  Life,  mult 
ha  be  thought  of  by  this  unthankful  and 
unbelieving  World  as  orntf  not  worrhjr 
to  Iivevand  not  have  a  breathing  in  that 
Air  which  he  both  made  &  gave  them 
to  breathe  In  ?  But  mult  heat  length 
be  laid  hold  of  by  a  traiterous  Judas 
fiur  he  had  once  taken  for  one  of  his 
Apoilleg  |  and  m  it  he  fuffer  all  this  > 
But  ah  /  Alas  /  What  Is  this  ?  Mult  he 

be 


on  the  Vojjion  ofCbrift.  ?V 

be  alfo  crowned  with  thorns,  and  m u ft  he 
jmat  and   bleed?    Oh    far  more   t ham 
Tongue    can  utter    !      Oh    alionifliing 
Condefcention  !   Thus  did  the  Son  he* 
come  a  Servant,  and  learn'd  Obedience 
by  his  fufferings,  and  ferved  a  three  and 
thirty  years  apprenticejbip  in  rhe  pain  and 
travel  of  his  foul  here  on  earth, a  longe* 
time  than  Jacob  ferved  for  his  beloved 
Rjche/^nd  that  becaufe  he  loved  us  bet* 
ter,  and  therefore  gave  a  better  dowry 
for  us.     But   had  1  lived   to  have  feea 
this  Prince  of  Glory  thus  difguis'd,  this 
Eaflern  Sun  thus  benighted  in  a  Cloud, 
this  glorious  God  thus   wrapped  up  in 
rags  of  flcfh,  fhould  I  have  known  hm, 
or  not  ?  my  fenfual  heart,  I  doubt  thee 
Jfiuch  *  wouldft  thou  have  cleaved   to 
hm  &:  loved  him  better  than  thy  life, 
and  have  faid,  Though  all  leave  tbeejzvill 
not  \    and  with  Paul  J  am  willing  &  ready 
not  only  to  be  bound,  but  to  die  for  thee. 
What  thinkft  thou, Oh  my  foul  I  couldft 
thou  have  leftHusband, Wife. Far  her  and 
Mother,  and  all  the  reft  of  thy  friends, 
and  have  fold  all  that  thou  haft,    aid 
followed  him?    what  him  whom  the 
Prophet  foretold,  Ifai.  53,23, -he  bmb  no 
H  2  (orm 


So  A  Pathctical  Meditation 

form  or  comeliness  in  bim,  that  you  fhould 
drfite  him  :  he  U  defpifed  12  re  jelled  of 
men^  a  man  of  Jorrows  and  acquainted 
with  griefs.  Tell  me,  tell  me,  couldft 
xhou  have  divorced  thy  felf,  from  all, 
and  have  taken  this  feemingly  uncome- 
ly 4)erfon  for  thy  Lord,  and  only  Bus- 
land?  Ah  me/  I  do  not  know  my 
'heart  ^  but  lately  had  I  known  him 
as  I  do  now  know  himj  fhould  not  have 
iluck  at  any  thing  for  him.  For  what 
ii  his  Face  did  want  comelinefs ,feeing  it 
camefo  with  tears  and  grief  for  thee  ? 
and  wilt  thou  love  thy  friend  the  worfe 
foecHufe  he  fhares  in  forrow  with  thee? 
for  thou  canft  not  but  know  that  ha 
came  from  Heaven  to  take  to  himfelf  a 
Spoufe  on  Earth  \  and  if  I  was  one  that 
3ie  loved,  and  grieved  for  to  fee  my 
itubborn  heart  fo  hard  toyield?was  this 
the  caufe  he  wanted  beauty  ?  Gh  fuch 
a  want  as  this  is  lovely,  and  methinks 
my  heart  could  have  cleaved  the  clofer 
to  him  :  There  was  no  bciuty  or  ccnieti- 
vefs  in  him\  and  what  of  that  ?  my  ugly' 
and  deformed  foul  deferves  more  loath- 
ing •,  my  rigbteoufnefs,\\iZ  comlieft  p3rt 
sbouc  me  is  but  rtfgs,    or  a   Menflruous 

flotbi 


on  the  Vajfton  of  €hffc-         r" 
clotb^if- there  were  no  more  deferable* 
nefs  in  him  than  in  me5Gh  had  I  loved 
him  then,  and  left  all  for  him,  ir  were 
no  wonder  :  but   that   he   (hould  love 
me,  I  rather  ftand  amazed  !  There  was 
no  beauty  in  him,    it  may   be    fo  *.  buz 
.could  it  be  otherwife   expe£ted    from 
him  who  came  to  work  in Jirc  (Stjftekf, 
who  came  to  quench  the  flames  of  Hell, 
a-nd  to  fatisfy  Gods  wrath  and  julfice  ? 
to  pull  out  filthy  fouls  from   the  jaws 
of  luftful  fenfual  flefh  and  blocd  ?     it 
was  not    beauty  but  ftrengtb    that  wgs 
here  needful.     A  glance  of  an  amercus 
tye  would  not  have  wounded  Satan  jnd. 
made-him  fall  from  Heaven  like  a  ffjfli 
of  Lightning-       A  comely  countenance 
could  not  have   inchanted  and  unbai'd 
hell  gates,  and  made  them  fall,&  break 
before  him  into  (hatters.  What  need  a 
lair  band  10  touch  our  filthy  rotten  fouls, 
and  take  them  up  in  menftrous  bleed, 
and  wafh  them  clean  ^   or   what  need 
fuch  clean    hands:  to  clafp   about  the 
rutty  iron  gates  wherein  I  and  all    the 
World  lay  bound- in  chains. and  to  pull 
them  down,  to  take  our  cankered  bolts 
and  knock  them  eff*  to  take  us  by  the 
H  3  hand 


$2         *.  A  Pathetical  Meditation 
ihand  to  help  us  up,   and  lead  us  out  ? 
LAlas  !   there  needs  no  fuch  eye,  jacc^  or 
Xiand  for  fuch  a  work.     It  is  powerful, 
all-conquering  ftrength  that  is  here  re- 
quired.    It  was  a  powerful  vi&orious 
arm  that  here  was  needed,  and  fuch  a 
tint  he  had.  But  what  fhouldhedo  with 
sa  beauteous  body  that  muft  be  fo  abafed 
S£  abufed  as  his  was  ?  an  uncomely  face 
•will  ferve  where  it    muft  be  /pit   ons 
Whit  muft  he  do  with  a  jair Jojt  deli* 
cate  tender  band7wh\ch  mult  he  pierced? 
another  kind  of  hand  is  good  enough  to 
knock  a  nail  into.     And  wharneeds  his 
body  be  of  a  clear,  white,  thin  tranfpa- 
jrertt  skin  ?  will  not  any  ferve  that  body 
shat  muft  be    bruifed  and  wounded  as 
Ifcis  was  l  nay,  as  it  was  necefTary  his 
ihould  be  ?    But  why  thus  neceffary  > 
cither  he  muft  be  thus  dealt  with,   or 
^ife  my  fin  cannot  be  pardoned*  Either 
Sie  muft  be  defpifed  of  men,  or   I  mufi 
t>e  of  G*d.      Oh  he  muft  drink  up  this 
foicrer  cup  with  alt  its  dregs,  or  elfe  I 
Biufi:  have  drunk  it  up  my  felf.   It  was 
5  that  finned,and  I  muft  have  fu ffercd> 
this  curfed,  proud  and  earthly  hea?t  of 
■Bine  rebelled  and  broke  the  Laws^and 
-filOUld 


on  the  TaJJlon  of  €bri&:  8$ 

fhould  have  fuffered  and  born  the  pu- 
nishment h  had  jiot  he  ftept  in  and  born 
the  Itroke  off  from  me,  I  had  been  now 
burning  in  everlasting  flames,and  have 
been  lingering  out  this  timein  torment,' 
which  I  am  now  fpending  in  the  fweet 
thoughts  of  my  efcape.  And  is  not 
all  true  >  fpeak  out,  my  foul  \  hath  not 
the  Prophet  faid  as  much  >  Surely  (faith 
-he)  be  hath  born  our  griefs,  and  carried 
our  for  rows  :  be  was  wounded  for  our 
tranfgrc/Jions,  be  wasbruifed  for  our  ini- 
quities, the  cbaflifement  of  our  peace  lay 
upw  bim,  and  by  bi stripes  we  are  healed. 
All  we  like /beep  hre  gone  aftray,  we  art 
every  one  turned  to  his  own  way,  and  the 
Lord  bath  laid  upon  him  the  iniquities  of 
us  all.-  He  was  opprcJfed,be  was  affiitlcd, 
yet  be  opened  not  bis  mouth  $  be  was 
brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  /laughter,  and  a* 
afoccp  before  the  /hearers  was  dumb,  fa 
be  opened  not  his  mouth.  He  was  taken 
from  prifon  &  judgment \and  who  [hall  de* 
clare  bis  generation  >  for  he  was  cut  off 
from  the  land  of  the  living.  And  for  the 
tranfgreffionoj  my  people  wasbcfmittcnl 
Thou  feeft  thy  debt,  and  thy  Saviours 
f  aymtnt  of  it  5  shefe  ate  no  fittions-, 

thoa 


$4  •&  Vatheticd  Meditation 

thou  halt  jolt  now  read  a  Jure  word  of 
Fropbccy  that  hath  confirmed  it.  Thofe 
wouttds,xhote  ilripes.xhqfQ  bruifes  which 
thou  readett  of,  he  bore  for  Thee,  and 
which  were  due  to  thee.  It  was  thou 
rhat  ftiouldft  have  been  led  j rom pri Jon 
tp  Judgment,  from  prifon  to  the  Judg- 
ment-feat of  the  great  God, who  fhould 
have  fat  as  Judge  •,  he  fhould  have  ar- 
raigned thee,  fentenced  thee,  and  have 
fent  thee  to  the  /laughter  boufe  of  hell, 
where  thou  fhouldit  have  been  weeping, 
and  wailing,and  gnafhing  of  thy  teeth. 
But  Oh  amazing  18ve  and  grace  !  the 
Son  of  God  that  loved  me  betterthan 
his  life,  ftept  ofFhisThrone  and  took 
my  nature  on  him,  and  became  a  man 
irke  to  me  fonly  fin  excepted)  he  came 
and  bid  me  comfort  my  trembling  heart, 
fre  would  put  himfelf  into  my  condition, 
and  become  the  prifoner  \  and  if  my 
fin  would  eolt  his  life,  he  would  freely 
part  with  ir.  Methinks  I  feel  my  bowels 
turn,  my  fpirits  meit  within  me  •,  was 
ever  love  like  to  his  love  ?  He  was  as 
a  ftranger  to  me  :  why  did  he  not  let 
me  die  >  It  was  hisF&rher  1  did  wrongs 
why  did  he  not  let  me  fuffer  ?  What 

"   *      if 


on  the  Ptjfion  of  GhriJI.  8? 

if  my  punifhment  was  as  great  asHell? 
finely  I  did  deferve  ir.     What  if  my 
pains  and  fcreeches  were  eternal  ?    Ah ! 
I  was  a  creature?a  worm,a  fly,a  nothing 
to  him,  and  what  need  he  haveoared? 
but  he  loved  me  ±  and  could  he  love  a 
pWoner  at  the  Bar?   I  was  zfinner,  a 
vile  polluted  one^ethlnks  hefhould  havfe 
ioaihed  me$  but  he  did  vaajh  thee,&  make 
thee  clean  again.  I,  but  J  was  hisFathers 
enemy.zod  fo  no  friend  to  him ;  or  would 
he  love  an  enemy  ?  or  did  he  not  know 
fo  much  >  hut  how  eouid  that  be,  when 
he  fjw  my  heart,  and  the  enmity  that 
was  in  it?   yes,  hedid5andyet  beloved 
thee  ^  even  while  we  were  enemies  he  died 
for  /#.  But  why  did  he  love  an  enemy? 
or  how  could  he  do  it  ?     /  know   not 
why,  itis  paft  my  reafon  to  imagine  it : 
Oh  inexprejjihk   hovel    Oh    love   paft 
thought  !  /cannot  fathom  thee  with  my 
reafon,  thy  ways  are   unaccountable  * 
he  loves  becaufe  he  will  love.   And  though 
his  love  difpleaferh  its,   yet  it  pleafed 
him  to  love  us,     Whar  ails  my  heart  ? 
/cannot  fir.d  it  ftir,    What,dead  under 
the  reviving  thoughts  of   thy   deareft 
Redeemer  !    I  jult  now  laid,  he  loved 

thee 


86  A  fuhetital  Meditation 
thee  though  anQnziny,  and  when  thou 
loved  It  not  him  *  1  fee  the  enmity  is 
not  quite  removed,  thou  can  It  not  love 
him  yet ;  Arife,  (hake  up  thy  felf,  and 
look  about  thee,  thou  dolt  not  fure  fee 
thy  meicy  $  finely  thou  underftandefl 
not  what  thou  oughteft  to  understand. 
Come  away,  Oh  come  away,  lift  up 
thy  drowfie  head,/  will  make  thee  look 
andlove,while  1  fet  thee  all  on  homing, 
and  make  thee  ere  I  leave  thee  confefs 
thou  iovelt  him.  Think,  think,  0  my 
fou!f  that  thou  hadft  juit  now  finned 
and  broke  that  law  which  threatned 
death,  and  upon  the  breach  doth  find 
thee  guilty.  Think  that  thou  faweft  a 
filming  Cherubim,  amefTengerof  the 
Co  art  o*  Heaven  flirt  in  at  that  door 
and  arrelt  thee  for  High  treafon,  and 
give  thee  a  fummons  to  rife  from  the 
feat  thou  fit  reft  on,  to  make  a  fudden 
anfwer  for  thy  life.  Look  then,  my 
foul,  Ah  !  I  lookt.juft  now,  1  fee  that 
door  wide  open:  What's  this!  zfp'ir'n? 
Ah  me,  I  am  undone,for  I  have  finned  i 
I  think  the  room  (hakes  under  me,  or 
elfe  'tis  my  heart  that's  trembling. 
What's  this/  hear  J  /mult  now  anfwer 

for 


on  the  Poffion  of  ChriB,  87 

for  my  life  :  Oh  what  fhaii  I  fay  M 
know  not  what  -,  /  have  finned,  my 
Confcience  tells  mo  that  I  have  finned, 
the  wirnefs  within  will  caft  me,  I  fee 
the  lnditement«writ  with  blood  on  my 
heart-,  the  pride,  fenfuality,  and  the 
earthlinefsof  which  lam  charged  with, 
I  am  not  able  to  deny  one  tittle.  Oh 
for  a  mountain  to  cover  me  :  Oh  whi- 
ther (hall  1  go,whither  fhall  I  fly  ?  That 
Bed^thefe  Curtains,  this  Gofer  cannot 
hide  me.  My  Mother,  Fat  her,Wife  or 
Child  cannot  help  me  :  O  who  then 
fhaii?  t  run  whither  know  rot  5  ven- 
geance will  find  me  out  where  ever  1 
go.  Oh  curfed  and  fultil  Satan  !  arc 
ail  thy  fair  promifes  and  inticements 
come  to  this  /  O  my  wicked  curfed 
foolifh  heart !  that  ever  1  fhould  believe 
him  before  my  Creator,  that  told  me, 
the  day  I  finned  7  fiouldfurely  die.  Oh 
that  for  a  little  fimple  traniient  pleafure 
I  fhould  fo  madly  hazard  my  erernal 
life  /  And  now  /  muft  be  caft  ro  Hell  to 
hszt  the  punifhment  of  my  folly.  Think 
once  again. think  r hat  this  were  the  day, 
Ihisthe  very  place  in  whichG*  d  fhould 
fcoms  and  fit  in  judgment  on  tine  Ml* 

thinks 


88  A  Pathetical  Meditation 

thinks  I  fee  theHeavens  bow  themfelves; 
Oh  what  a  crackling  do  I  hear  in  the 
Clouds  *  look  yonder!  Seewho^omes! 
It  is  rny  Judge  5  his  countenance  is  as  a 
fiameoffire,  heutterihis  voice  like 
Thunder,  the  mountains  skip,or  rather 
fhake,or  rather  tremble.  Now,now,  is 
the  time  of  my  utter  deftruftion  neat 
at  band-  Oh  how  (hall  I  look  him  ia 
the  face  !  His  looks  do  already  affright 
me!  Ifhallnotfayone  word,and  I  have 
not  one  Friend  that  will  fay  one  word 
for  me.  It's  true,  I  fee  a  terrible  glori- 
ous Troop  of  Angels  that  do  attend 
him,  but  they  are  ail  his  friends,  and 
therefore  all  my  enemies :  I  dare  not 
fpeak  a  word  to  them  $  and  alas  !  if  I 
fhould,  they  are  all  but  his  ferva-nts,1 
and  fellow-Creatures  with  my  felf \ 
Alas  !  They  cannot,  yea  they  will  not 
help  me.  It's  true,  there  is  ove,  that 
crrc  that  feemsdtf^*  a?i/b  G^thebeams 
oi  whofe  countenance  are  far  brighter 
than  all  the  Hoft  of  Heaven  :  Befides, 
if  God  have  a  Son,  it  may  be  it  is  he  * 
methinks  he  is  a  mirrour  of  his  Fathers 
Glory  *  but  this  I  know  not  \  be  what 
he  will,  he  cannot  pity  me  afinner,the 

doors 


on  the  Death  of  Chriji.  89 

loots  oF  hope  are  all  fhur  up,  and  now 
is  a  miferable  wretch  I  muft  prepare  to 
hear  my  fentence  *  the  Judge  isfet,and 
ivich  trembling  heart  and  joints  I  itand 
a  prifoner  at  the  Bar  for  my  Life,  and 
now  I  muft  attend  his  call. 

God  fpeaks,]  Sinner \  where  art  thou  ? 

The  Sinner  an/veers']  Lord  here  am  I. 

God  fpeaks]  How  dare]]  thou  thus  a* 
bufe  my  Grace  fi?  kindk  up  my  zealagainft 
thee  that  novo  a*  ftubble  it  mil  conjumt 
thee  ?  Is  this  the  thanks  that  thou  hall 
returned  for  all  the  love  that  I  have 
ihewed  to  thee  >  Mult  J  make  a  whole? 
World  and  give  it  to  thee,  and  as  if 
that  was  too  little,  I  bid  thee  freely 
take  my  felf  and  all, and  would  not  this 
content  thee  ?  Was  1  not  as  a  Father  to 
thee,tfce  time  thou  lovedlt  me,and  didft 
obey  me  ?  Did  I  not  make  thy  feat  a 
Paradice,  and  ftrewed  thy  paths  with 
pleafure  ?  Did  I  not  rejoyce  over  thee 
as  a  young  man  over  his  bride  ?  What 
evil  haft  thou  found  in  me,  that  thou 
fhouldft  thus  rebellioully  revolt  and 
my  Laws,  and  for  a  trifle  fell  my  fa- 
vour, and  hazard  myEternal  pleafures? 
Speak  finner,  was  it  not  fo  ? 


90  A  Fatbetical  Meditation 

The  firmer  anfmrs  3  My  God,  thefe 
weeping  eyes  and  bended  knees  confefs 
fo  much. 

God  [peaks  ]  Had  I  not  told  thee  that 
fin  would  coil  thee  thy  Life,  then  thou 
hadft  had  fome  excufe  2  Have  I  faid  it, 
and  will  the  greatGod  change  ?  Sinner, 
thou  muft  die  \  I  told  thee  fo  before, 
and  now  I  tell  thee  again,  the  God  of 
Heaven  cannot  lie.  Get  thee  gone  thou 
curfed  wretch  into  eternal  flames,  and 
keep  that  Devil  company  in  chains  and 
torments,with  whom  thou  haft  rebelled 
againft  me,  and  go  fee  what  pleafures 
thou  halt  in  finning. 

The  Sinner  anfweretb']  Thou  greatGod 
and  terrible  Judge  \  1  do  confels  thy 
lehtence  juft^but  if  there  be  any  bowels 
of  mercy  in  thee,  pity  me,  or  I  die  for 
even  Mercy,  Mercy,  Lord  /  for  1  am 
thy  creature,  the  workmanfhip  of  thy 
hands.  If  there  be  any  thing  in  the 
trembling  heart  2nd  hands,  and  knees 
of  this  thyfentenoed  prifoner.that  will 
move  compafficD,  O  pity,  pity  a  con-j 
demned  Sinner. 

God /peaks]  What  /  Stays  he  longer! 
tq  trouble  my  patience  /   I  fay,  begone^ 

thou! 


A  Patberical  Meditation  9 1 
thou  curfed  5  though  thou  art  my  crea- 
ture,know  that  my  wrath  hath  kindled 
00  better  creatures  than  thou  art  ;  get 
thee  to  Hell,  and  the  howling  Devils 
will  tell  thee  as  much. 

The  firmer  /peaks}  Ah,  wo,  wo,  wo  to 
me,    for  ever  curfed  /  am,    and  curled 
moft  I  go  for  ever, My  righteousjudge, 
and  ye  glorious  Angels  adieu  for  ever : 
Live,    live  for  ever  blefled   3nd  happy 
in  his  love  •,    /  might  have  lived,    ard 
joyed*   and   gloryed  in  that   God  that 
made  both  ye  &  me  \  but  like  a  wretch 
that  /  am,  wo  that  ever   /  was  born,  f. 
fold  his  favour,  and  fo  my  erernalLife, 
for  a  thing  of  nought,  a  vain    luft,   a 
finful  pleafure  that  lafted  but  for  a  fea- 
Con,  and  /  g^,  /  go  into  eternal  flames. 
What  fays  myHearr    0  this  ?  Methinks 
the   very  thoughts   >f  it  do  make  my 
hearr  to  quiver,  and  my  flefh  to  fhake 
all  round  about  me*   (  reel  no  itrength 
in  all  my  joints. 

G  id /peaks}  So,  fo,  Jam  glad  feme* 
thing  moves  thee. 

But  think  again,  that  the  Devil  did 
taks  hold  of  thee,  and  drag  thee  frc  m 
the  place  thou  fitteft  or3to  Hell  5  fop- 


9  2  A  Pathetic al  Meditation 

pofe  the  Father  frowning  on  thee,  and 
all  the  Angeb  flioating  thee  down  tc 
Hell,  and  glorying  in  thy  damnation  : 
fcu  tii  k  again  thou  fjweft  when  all 
yvej*  joying  to  fee  ihee  fentenced  tc 
Hell,  that  he  that  far  juft  by  rhejudge. 
vvhrm  thou  thougbreit  even  now  to  he 
liis  Son,  but  k«eweit  it  nor.  Look 
Look  !  Methiiiks  I  fee  him  rffe  oft'  hii 
Throne  ♦,  fee,  fee,  how  the  Angels  fall 
to  adore  him,  methinks  he  is  a  coming 
near  thee.  Oh  how  my  heart  dorfc 
ttffllble,  Oh  what  will  he  torment 
me  before  my  time  /  Ah  me  !  My  doom 
is  great  enough  already. 

Sinner  JfwksJ]  Thou  wilr  not  fend 
me  to  a  worfer  place  than  Hell  ^  my 
Judge hathpaffed  myfentence,rhoucanH 
not  fend  me  into  worfer  than  flames, o\ 
punifh  me  longer  than  everlallingly. 

Cbrifi  Art/icersj  Oh  how  my  bowels 
turn  !  This  lioner  knows  not  what  is  ir 
my  heart  -,  he  thinks  I  am  his  enemy 
Sinner,  fluke  off  thy  tears,  and  wip* 
thine  eyes,  thou  (halt  not  die. 

Ttx  fin  net  f pea  As  again.'}  Oh  thou  glo 
lious  God  or  Angel,  or  J  know  not  wha 
to  call  ihee7  do  not  delude  01  deride  t 

pooj 


on  the  Vaffion  of  Cbfift.  9) 

poor  Caitiff  wretch  in  the  midft  of  mi- 
fery  :  Why  wilt  thou  raife  me  to  fuch 
a  pinacle  of  hope,  to  caft  me  down,and 
make  my  fall  the  greater  ?  My  Judge 
hath  palled  the  fentence,  I  mull  die  ; 
and  who  can  reverfe  the  doom  ?  Ah  / 
I  muft  go  i  fee  my  prifon  door  wide 
open  •,  the  fmoke  and  flafhes  come  to 
meet  my  defpairing  Soul  halfway. 

ChnS  fpeaksl^  And  now  my  heart  be- 
gins to  break,  my  love  can  keep  no  lcn- 
ger  in  *  how  cauflefly  doth  this  wretch 
torment  his  heart!  He  knows  not  who 
!am.-  I  mult  reveal  my  felf.  Sinner, 
1  love  thee  •,  I  fay  thou  fhalt  not  die  : 
Come,  feel  my  heart  and  pulfe  how 
they  beat,  and  tell  how  ftrong  my, love 
within  doth  aft  them  :  Dolt  thou  not 
fee  I  have  left  myThrone,and  am  come 
down  to  the  Bar  where  thou  Itandefl 
condemned  >  But  why  doft  thou  weep? 
Come,let  me  wipe  thine  eyes,and  bind 
up  thy  bleeding  and  defpairir  g  heart : 
1  tell  thee  thou  (hair  not  die:  If  Hea- 
ven will  have  blood, it  (hall  have  mine, 
fo  it  will  but  fpare  thine.  Sinner,  if 
thou  kneweft  who  I  am,  thouwouldeft 
j>ot  doubt  one  tittle;  1  tell  thee  1  am 
1  3  his 


$4  A  Tatbetlcal  Meditation 
his  Son,  his  only  Son,  that  but  now  con- 
demned thee:  1  know  he  is  juft,  and 
jultice  muft  be  fatisfied.  But  do  not 
thou  Jcar,  if  one  of  us  rnuft  die,ir  fhall 
l>e  I  :  I  will  pour  out  my  blood  a  Sacri- 
fice for  fin,  and  appeafe  his  wrath,  and 
make  you  Friends  again.  Ye  innume- 
rable company  of  Angels,  fyet  feivants 
at  my  Fathers  will)  why  do  yerejoyce 
to  fee  my  Prifoner  fent  to  he//?  This 
cuifed  Soul  over  whom  in  Glory  you 
do  bow  triumph,  I  do  refolve  to  die 
for,and  to  buy  her  to  my  felf  a  Spoufe, 
*nd  to  make  her  blefled  with  your 
Telves,  and  give  her  a  Prtnces's  placeon 
a  Throne  that  is  by  my  felf. 

Sinner /peaks']  Is  this  a  dream  /  Or 
ami  waking  ?  The  goodnefs.greatnefs, 
glory  of  this  fudden  unexpefted  bleffed 
scbafige,  tempts  me  to  doubt  whether 
it  be  true,or  whether  it  be  fomc  unruly 
izney  that  doth  delude  this  wretched 
Heart  of  mine?  What  for  the  Son  of 
God  to  debafe  himfeif  io  low  as  to  rake 
my  nature,  and  fo  my  eanle,  &  become 
the  Prifoner !  What  /And  though  he 
knows  he  fhall  be  cafi  !  Will  he  hear 
the  fentence,  and  quietly   bea*  boh-, 

and 


in  the  PaJJion  of  CbriJI.  9? 

and  fhackels,and  chains,  which  fiould 
have  fettered  me  !  Yet  more  than  this, 
Doth  he  know  it  is  impoffible  to  get  a 
reprieve  from  his  Father  and  judge  5 
And  that  he  mult  mcft  affuredly  drink 
the  bittereft  dregs  of  Death,  more  bit- 
ter thanBeviis  or  damned  Souls  inHeli 
has  yet  ever  rafted  of?  For  it  is  im- 
poffible the  Cup  fhould  pafs  :  And  can 
he,  will  he,  dare  he  venture  ?  But 
ttay,l  mutt  be  a  Spoufe/  To  be  exalted 
from  this  dunghill  to  be  a  Frincefs  to 
the  Son  &  Heir  of  Glory  /  Hold,  hold, 
here's  enough/it  is  a  dream,an  idle  fancy 
of  a  diftempered  brain  •,  I  (hall  rcever 
find  a  heart  to  believe  one  Syllable. 
But  yet,  methinks,  if  it  be_a  dream, 
5ii$* a  Golden  one.  Is  it  poflible  that 
fuch  a  "damned  wretch  as  I,  could  har- 
bour fuch  fiiken  gilded  Thoughts  of 
fuch  Love,  Grace,  Mercy  &Tendernefs 
of  t  he  Son  of  God  ?  Oh  my  Heart  /  If 
they  were  not  true,how  came  they  into 
my  mind,  or  how  came  they  to  ftay  ? 
Or  could  they,  if  but  meer  Fiftioos, 
make  fuch  a  change  in  my  Heart  \ 
Could  they  fo  vlttorioufly  conquer  all 
my  Fear,  filence  all  my  Doubts,  allay 

the 


$6  A  Patbetical  Meditation 

the  heats  of  a  fcorched  and  be-helled 
Conference?  But  why  a  dream,  poor 
wretched  Heart  ?  Didft  thou  not  fee 
him  Itepoff  his  Throne  ?  Was  it  a 
time  to  dream  or  fleepin,  when  thou 
wert  before  the  Judgment  feat,  while 
God  was  frowning,  and  the  Devils 
dragging  thee  to  and  fro  to  get  thee 
away  to  Hell  ?  O  then,  juft  then,%  hs 
Kept  down,  drew  near  and  took  thee 
by  the  hand,  and  fpoke  thefe  reviving 
Words  to  thee  i  Doubt  this,and  doubt 
thy  Judgment.  But  why  a  Dreami  1 
am  not  now  in  Hells  Torments,whither 
I  was  juft  now  fentenced  ;  My  Heart  is 
now  at  eafe  and  quiet  •,  furely  fome* 
thing  muft  be  -the  reafon  why  the 
Devil  that  bucnow  had  hold  of  me, 
hath  left  me.  Where  is  theConfcience 
that  but  now  was  burning  in  me  j  But 
Oh,  cannot  the  prefence  of  the  Lord 
put  me  out  of  Doubt  ?  Do  not  his 
Words  that  were  fo  kind,  his  tender 
dealing  with  me, doth  not  his  ftooping 
to  me,  taking  me  by  the  arm,  and  the] 
gentle  Lifts  that  he  gives  to  my  droop- i 
ing  Soul,  fpeak  him  /-*fent  I  Oh/ 
Do  notmyhead3eyes,arms,heait,breaftt 

audi 


on  the  Vajjicn  of  Chrijf,  ^  91 
and  the  eafe  of  every  joint  and  limb 
about  me,  whnefs  the  fame  >  Away 
my  unbelieving  Hearr,  what  a  flir  is 
here  to  mike  thee  believe  a  thing  fo 
evident  ?  D  »ubt  my  mind,  and  freely 
doubt,  III  give  thee  leave,  when  thou 
halt  any  rccjfion  or  reafon  for  it.  But 
why  fh  ^u!d#l  doubt  that  which  is  pa  ft 
all  doubt  ?  May  I  not  believe  mySenfes? 
I  both  faw  and  heard  him  fpeak  the 
Words  5  or  Hull  I  mifdoubt  his  faith- 
fulnefs  ?  1  know  he  is  the  Son  of  God% 
he  cannot  lie,  but  it  is  true  ?  Yer,  my 
God,  1  pray  thee  be  not  angry  wich  my 
fcrupulous  Heart  ^  thou  feett  in  Tears 
I  mike  the  doubrjct  it  be  an  argument 
to  me  of  Sincerity  :  1  do  not  ask  that 
TQutftiw  as  one  that  would  fain  be 
perfwaded  it's  true:  Canft  thou  think, 
my  Lord,  that  I  would  not  bereconcil- 
ed,  and  cheerfully  accept  of  Grace 
when  thou  fo  freely  offeiedlt  it  ?  O 
but  Lord,  fpeak  thefe  words  ro  my  heart 
which  thou  haft  already  fpoke  to  my 
€Jt,  and  thou  wilr  melt  it  intolove  and 
thankfulnefs,  and  I  (hall  never  doubt 
it  more. 

OHje£V    But  yet,  but  what  can  Heaven 
love  Jo  much  I  Anjw* 


98         A  Patbetical  Meditation 


An/to.  Thou  filly  Worm  !    How  idl> 
doft  thou  queftion  ?  Muft  Heaven,  and 
fo  its  love,  be  bound  up  to  fo   narrow 
and  contra&ed  Thoughts  as  thine  ate; 
What,  can  God  love  no  more  than  thou 
canft  ?     Love  is  a  Perfection,  and  God 
is  infinitely  perfe&,fomuii<be  infinitely 
&  comprehenfively  loving.  Thou  fool,go 
found  the  Sea,  and  tell  me  its  greateft 
depths;   give  me  the  height  of  yondei 
Stars,  this  poifibly  thou  may  It  do*,  foi 
the  Seas  are  net  fodeep  but  they  have 
a  bottom,  nor  the  Stars   fo  high,  but 
they  may  by  art  be  known.      But,  Oh 
the  heights,  and  depths,  and  breadths, 
and  lengths  of  the  love  of  our  Redee; 
mer  l  He  is  God,  and  his  breaftsare  fc 
full  of  love,  that  they  flow  and  over 
flow  with  love  ^   they  have   no  bottom, 
D)  but  try,  my  Soul,  call  thy  felf  intc 
this  botromlefs  lovely  Ocean,  into   thi: 
endlefs  BtfoM.y    and    when    thou   haf 
been    finking    millions  of  millions    o 
Years,   teit  me  whether  you    come    t< 
ground.     Ye  glorious  Angels,    and   y"\ 
blefled  Spirits  of  juft   Men  made  per 
fe&,  that  live  above,    you    that    hav 

bee. 


on  the  Vaffien  of  Gbrifi.  99 

been  wading  downward  thefe  five  Thou- 
fands  of  Years,  do  ye  feel  a  bottom  > 
Or  are  ye  near  one  ?  Away,  away,  my 
foolifh  Heart  $  if  this  be  all  thou  haft 
to  plead,  he  may  redeem  thee,  8c  take 
thee  for  his  Spoufe,  and  betroth  thee 
to  himfelf,  notwithftanding  all  this* 

Objefch  *)tit  Ob  this  filthy  loathfom 
flefhlyfelf,  this  bafe  unthankful  earthly 
heartjhat  can  prefer  a  dunghil,droJs,and 
dirt,  before  him  that  can  freely  lay  out  his 
love  to  a  creature  like  my  f elf  :  But  Ob 
bow  bard,  and  ft  iff, and  unrelenting  am  1  to 
my  God.  But  Oh  he  will  flight  m$^  be- 
caufe  I  have  often  put  him  off,  iff  flighted 
him  ^  he  cannot  love  and  die  for  Jucb  a 
one  as  I  am. 

,  An/.  Ceafe  fool,  thy  reafonings  5  he 
cannot  love  an  enemy,becaufe  thou  canft 
not  ,  he  cannot  die,  becaufe  thy  co- 
wardly heart  will  not  fuffer  thee  ! 
Why  fhould  he  fear  the  Grave,  that' 
had  Power  over  it  ?  And  what  though 
thou  art  unworthy  of  his  love,  if  he 
will  have  thee  and  make  thee  worthy  ? 
Thy  Heart  is  bafe,  and  what  of  that,  if 
be  will  mend  it  ?  Thy  filthy  rotten 
and  polluted  Soul  he  intends  to  wafh 

and 


ICO  A  Patbetical  Meditation 

aim  cleanfe  ic  till  it  is  without  ip  t  and 
wrinkle, or  any  fuch  thing.  Thy  Hub- 
born  proud  earthly  and  luftfui  heart, 
he  can  make  humble,  tender,  foft  and 
yielding.  And  when  he  hath  made 
thee  as  he  would,  why  may  not  he  take 
thee  to  himfelf,  and  lay  thee  next  his 
heart,  ar.d  delight  over  thee  everlaft- 
ingly  ? 

Obje£l,  But  will  bis  Father  yield  to 
this  ?  I  am  too  poor  <*  match  /or  the  Sort 
and  heir  of  a!  I  things  :  But  will  he  fan  be 
fuffer  his  Son  to  dicjobuy  jucb  a  beggarly 
thing  to  limfelj  at  I  am* 

AnJ\  Away  thefe  filly  fimple  childifh 
Thoughts;  how  like  an  Inhabitant  of 
this  earthly  fenfual  World  dolt  thou 
reafon  ?  Thou  wilt  not  under-match, 
and  therefore  will  not  God  his  Son  ? 
Thou  Fool,  thou  wilt  not  hecaufe  thou 
canftfind  another  equal.  But  dolt  thou 
not  know  that  God  can  find  none  equal 
to  his  Son  5  he  muft  Itoop,  or  elfe  go 
wit  hour.  It's  true,  he  might  have  gone 
without,but  what  if  he  would  nor,why 
fhould  notHeaven  haveits  will  as  well  as 
thou?  Thou  haft  no  dowry,  and  he 
doth  need  none,  and  yet  thou  argued 

as 


on  the  PaJJion  of  Cbrift.  lot1 

as  if  Heaven  would  make  Traffick  with 
his  Son  and  his  iove,as  we  filly  Worms 
do  here  •,  but  we  arc  Beggars,  and  fa 
ate  Angels,  and  all  the  glorious  Hoft 
above,  they  are  hisCreatures,hangand 
flepend  upon  him,  and  cannot  fubfift 
3ne  moment  happy  without  fuppiies 
and  helps  of  his  Grace  *  and  why  majr 
he  BOt  bring  a  beggarly  Man  as  near 
to  himfeif,  as  a  beggarly  Angel,  if 
ft  it  pleafeth  him  ? 

Object   Bui  doth  it  Jo  pleafe  bim  ? 

Anfw.  How  often  have  I  told  thee 
t  doth  pleafe  him  and  haft  thou  noc 
jelieved  >  Come,  if  thy  bearing  wilt 
lot  fatisfie,  let  thy  feeing  doit.  Look, 
f  thou  haft  Eyes.  Come  tell  me,  dork 
lotHeaven  look  as  though  it  was  pleafc 
d  with  the  offer  of  his  Son?  What 
loud  or  darknefs  doit  thou  fee  about 
he  Throne  ?  What  fign  or  token  of 
Ufpleafure  canft  thou  at  all  difcover  ? 
)pen  thine  eyes,  view  the  God  of 
ilory.  Do  his  looks  befpeak  him  ta 
>e  thy  Father  or  thy  Judge  ?  And  canft 
hou  not  read  both  Husband,Father  and 
,ord,  and  all  in  his  Countenance? 
Vhat  not  fee  it !  Surely  thou  art  blind ; 


I  ©2         A  Patketical  Meditation 
If  he  had  not  told  as  much   from  his 
own  mouth,  his  eyes  and  looks  befpeak 
his  love  and  favour  loud  and  clear  & 
rough  to  thee.     But  doth  he  not  tell 
thee,  to  put  thee  out  of  all  doubt,  this 
is  my  well  beloved  Son,  hear  him,  hear 
him.-  What's  that?  Believe  him  what- 
foevef  he  fays,  why,  what  faith  he  ?  O 
dull  and  ftupid  Heart  !  Halt  thou  for- 
got already  /   He  faid  he  will  pay  his 
Life  for  thine  *  and  doth  not  hisFather 
bid  thee  hear  him?     He  faid  he  would 
reconcile  thee,  love  thee,  8t  make  thee 
Friends  again  •,  and  is  it  not  Comfort 
ivhen  the  Father  bids  thee  believe  him 
He  faid  he  will  paidon,  wafh  8c  cleanfe 
thee,and  take  thee  tohimfelf,&  betroth 
thee  to  him   for   ever,    and   after  all 
will  give  thee  to  fee  his  Glory,even  the 
ftme  Glory  which  he  had  before   *h« 
World.     And  the  Father  is  willing  t< 
all  this,  for  he  tells  thee  his  Son, is  hi 
well-beloved  Son, and  bids  thee  believ< 
him,  and   mifdoubt  not  one  Syllable 
And  cantt  thou  after  all  this  doubt  tha 
the  Father  is  not   willing    ?     But  d 
not  his  Angels  likewife,  who  are  mini 
thing  Spirits,    with    voice  and  lookl 

proclairj 


en  the  Papon  of  Cbnjt.  1  C$ 

proclaim  as  much/hat  Heavep  is  well- 
pleafed  wirh  the   Son,    and     with    his 
Dea'h    and   Paffion,  and   fo  with   thee 
in  him    ?      Do  nor  the  Angels  admire 
the  Myftery  of  redeeming  Grace,  that 
Bikes    them   fo  defirous   to  peep  into 
it  ?  Why  d;d  they  proclaim  his  c<  filing 
into  the  World,  and  fiog  for   j  y    mac 
there  was  good-will  in  Heaven  to  Men 
on  Earth  ?  Or  why  do  they  fo  diligent- 
ly attend  thee  by  night  and  day  ?  Thou 
feel*  them   not  keep  guard  about    thy 
Chamber  door,   and   round    about    the 
Ctmains  af  thy  Bed,      Why    do  they 
attend  thee  from    room  to  room,  and 
Follow  thee  down-ftairs,  &  out  of  doors, 
if  it  were  not  but  that  thou  art  fome 
great  Princefs,    nearly  allied   to   their 
Lord  and  Matter?    Thou  doit   not  fee 
this,   blame  then   thine  Fve->,   and   the 
infidelity  of  thy  Heart -5  fhall  it  be  lefs 
true,  beciufe  thy  bafe  infidelity  cannot 
digelt  it  ?  Thou  might  doubt  God,  Hea- 
ven, and  every  thing  elfe  on  that  fcore-, 
but  halt  thou  not  it  from  his  own  Mouth 
that  the  Angels   are  minUtring  Spirirs 
for  the  heirs  of  Glory  ?  Come,  tell  me, 
I  fay,   tell  me  quickly,  I  mult  have  an 
K  2  anlwer 


I #4  ^  Pathetic al  Melitatwn 
anfwer,  can  this,  and  all  this  be  true; 
and  Heaven  yet  not  be  pleafed?  If  God 
with  his  Son  and  Angels  be  all  content 
that  thou  fhouldft  be  reltored,  and  fa 
exalted  to  fuch  dignities  as  to  be  heir 
unto  the  Crown  of  Heaven ;  if  thefe  be| 
pleafed,  who  is  there  in  Heaven  that 
can  elfe  be  difpleafed?  What  faith  my 
Heart  ?  What  not  yet  one  Word  ?  Oh 
how  long  fhall  I  be  troubled  8c  pelter-, 
cd  with  my  unbelief!  Oh  my  God> 
itrik#,  chide,  and  break  this  flint,  re? 
prove  thisftubborn-8c  unbelievingHearr,. 
I  cannot  perfwade  it  that  thou  lovelt 
me,  or  art  willing  to  love  me:  I  urge 
thy  Word,  and  my  beft  reafon  to  pr  ve 
it,  but  Icannot  make  it  yield.  Oh  break, 
I  pray  thee,  this  Flint  or  Adamant  up* 
on  the  downy  Bread  of  Love  vftrike, and 
one  blow  of  thine  will  make  it  fall  in 
pieces,  and  confefs  at  length  that  thou 
art  well  pleafed  with  thy  Son,  &  fully 
fatisfied  that  he  ftiould  bleed  and  die 
for  me.  Bat  le*  me  try  thee  once  again, 
if  thoti  haft  loft  thine  Eats  and  Eyes -, 
I'll  fee  if  thou  haft  loft  thy  feeling  too* 
Tfiou  fayft  thou  canft  not  believe  that 
€j0d  is  willing  to  accept  the  Son  for 

*ihee, 


on  the  PuJJion  ofCbrift*  io> 
fhee,  or  that  thou  fo  vile  a  wrerch  canlt 
be  accepted  of  by  the  Father  through 
the  merits  of  his  Death  and  Sufferings. 
Come,teil  me,isnot  this  thy  Language? 
J  know  thou  dareft  not  to  fpeak  fo  muclx 
in  Words.  But  ah  /  my  Heirt,  I  find 
thou  haft  got  a  Tongue  as  well  as  my 
Mouth,  that  often  mutters  and  fpeaks  a 
different  language.  But  tell  me  if  thy 
unbelief  hath  any  ground  for  it?  What 
makes  it  then  that  thy  felfis  fo  free 
from  fears  and  terrors,  when  thou 
fhouldelt  believe  the  Almighty, of  thy 
Bodies  Death,  Refurrettion,  and  com- 
ing to  Judgment,  if  thoughreit  him  not 
thy  Friend,  and  reconciled  to  thee  in 
his  Son  ?  If  nor,  methinks  thy  fears 
fhould  fright  thee,  and  tremblingfeize 
on  every  joint  •,  and  yet  thou  wile  fool- 
ifhly  mutter  agiintt  thine  own  feeling, 
Swlfpejkq  0  blefled  God  !  I  feel 
thou  halt  overcome  y  I  yield,  I  yield,  I 
have  not  left  a  word  to  fpeak  againlt 
thy  love-,  thy  Son  hath  offered  Satis- 
JM&on,  and  thou  hilt  accepted  if  ^  tho« 
hill  laid  dowj,  O  my  Sjviour,rhyLlf<e 
for  mine  *  a  :d  thy  FJther,  aid  m/ 
Bliher  is  well  pleifei  with-it  :  Btoxl 
K  3  U 


A  Pathetic*!  Meditation 
is  paid,  Juftice  is  fatisfied,  Heavens 
doors  are  widened,  thine  arms  open  to 
receive  me  j  nothing  is  wanting  but 
my  Hiart  -,  make  it  fuch  as  thou  wilt 
have  ir,  and  then  take  it  to  thy  felf* 
Come  up,  my  Soul,  thou  haft  an  Heart, 
and  there  is  a  Chrift*  the  Father  thou 
feeft  is  willing,  and  the  Son  is  willing, 
give  but  thy  confent,  and  he  is  thine 
for  ever.  Fear  not  thy  hardnefs,  blind* 
rftfe,  dead nefs,  loathfomnefs,  all  thefe 
cannot  binder,  if  thou  be  but  willing* 
He  hath  been  in  the  world  to  ask  the 
worlds  confent  already,  and  alfo  thine-, 
thou  cinft  not  doubt  of  his  Good- will  y 
fpeak  but  the  word,  and  he  hath  thine 
too.  What  fiickeft  thou  at  ?  »  Surely 
thou  art  a  floggifh  Spirit  h  what  doft 
t-hou  ail  ?  Half  of  this  ado  would  find 
a  Heart  for  a  little  mire  or  dirt,  ox 
fomething  elfe  that  is  worfe,and  is  not 
Chrift  better  >  But  ah  !  yet  I  feel  a 
piece  of  unbelief  (till  working  in  thy 
very  Bowels,  as  if  that  Jefus  that  died 
at  Jerufa'cm  were  not  the  Son  of  Gody 
and  the  Redeemer  of  the  World.  And! 
is  this  all  ?  O  were  I  certain  thou 
wouldft  n«ter  doubt  *Qie,.  huW  fret's* 

&ould 


en  the  Tnjjion  of  Cbrift.  Y07 
hould  I  make  Satisfaction  ?  But  Oh/ 
[  faint  and  tire  with  the  trips  &  ftum- 
clings  of  my  unbelief.  But  mount,my 
Soul,  thou  muft  refolve  to  tire  and  put 
tofilence  all  thy  unbelieving  bablings, 
Drtbey  will  thee  *  which,  if  they  do* 
never  expert  an  hours  peace  or  quiet 
more  \  thou  muft  refolve  to  conquer 
thy  unbelief,  or  to  be  conquered  •,  thou 
knoweft  her  tyranny  too  well  to  let  her 
g  ■)  away  the  vi&orefs.  He  was  not  the 
Chrift,  thou  fayeQ,  but  tell  me  why  > 

Objeft.  His  Parentage  was  too  low  and 
mean  I  what  the  Saviour  of  the  World  a 
Carpenters  Son  !  How  can  it  be ! 

Anf.  My  unbelief,  in  the  frrft  place, 
thou  liett, his  Mother  was  a  Virgin,and 
her  Conceprion  knew  no  Father  but  the 
Almighty  Power  of  the  overshadowing. 
Holy  Gholt  ^  he  was  more  truly  theSon 
of  God  than  fofepVs  Son*  And  was 
his  Birth,  think'lt  thou,fo  mean,whofe 
Parentage  was  fo  glorious  ? 

Gbjeft.  His  Birth  but  me<in&  beggarly  \ 
nofooner  born^  but  cradled  in  a  Manger  \ 
hut  could  Heavm  fuffer  this  i 

An/.  It  confifts.  But  yer  it  was  as 
glorious .,  For  did  not  a  Stir  proclaim 

him 


him  born  ?  And  did  not  a  whole  Hoi 
of  Angels  fing,  and  (hour  it  up  for  Joy 
And  did  nor  wife  Men,  yea  and  Kings 
bring  Licenfe,  Myrrh, and  Frankincenfe 
being  but  as  fo  much  Tribute,  unto  th< 
new  born  King,and  heir  of  all  things,a< 
if  by  inftin&they  knew  they  held  theii 
Crowns  of  him  >  A  greaterHonour  thai 
ever  any  new  bom  Prince  hath  yet  re 
ceived  before  him,  or  ever  fliall  or  wili 
do  after  him. 

Methinks,  my  unbelieving  Heart,  1 
could  dare  to  tell  thee,  that  room  was 
no  Stable,  it  was  a  palace  *  and  did  noi 
the  coft,  prefents,and  glorious  Prefenc* 
of  Kings  fpeak  as  much  ? 

Ohjett.  But  bis  Days  were  Jfent  h 
Poverty,  Meannrfs  and  Difgrace  *  ant 
can  /,  dire  /,  truft  my  Soul  with  fucb  c 
ene,  and  take  ban  ?v  be  /fcf  Son  oj  God\ 


£mf.  And  now  I  wonder  at  thee 
It's  true  what  thou  fayefl,if  thop  lock5- 
ett  upon  him  one  way  \  his  15 fe  was 
fuch  as  thou  telleft  me  of-,  but  'tis  $ 
ftrong  argument  agai \\\  thy  felf*  tot 
juft  fuch  a  one  was  the  Chritt  ro  be 
according  ti>  the  Prophets  \    the  53d 

Ckaptei 


fes 


an  the  Vajjion  of  €brijf.        109 
apter  of  lfaiab  (hews  as  much.    But 
[yet  if  you  truly  underftandeft  what  true 
>']Pomp  and  Glory  means,   even   to   an 
tfeyQ  of  Senfe  as  well  as  to  that  of  Faith, 
iSo/omoa'%  Life  imbroidered  with  all  his 
jgiorious  Afts,  was  not  comparable  to 
]this  Lifeof  his.     Was  it  not  filled  with 
]Miracles  and  Wonders  ?     Was  he  not 
proclaimed  the  Son  of  God  withVoices 
f'Cm  Heaven  ?    Did   he   not   conquer 
Devils,   and  therefore  the  Kingdom  of 
Hell   >     Was  ever  Prince  on  Earth  ho- 
noured with  fa  great  aConqueit*  Wete 
not  his  miraculousFeaftsmorefplendid 
than  thofe  of  Princes  ?    The  fare  was 
biM  poor  and  mean,  but  the  miracles 
made  it  rich  and  glorious.     Had  I  been 
prefent,fhould  I  not  have  wondered  and 
gaz^d  more  at  the  Matter  of  this  Feaft; 
and  have  taken  more  Pleafure  to  have 
fec-i  him  fit  down  with  rhefe  fiveThou- 
fands,  than  wirhaTable  full  of  Princes 
and  g^e.u  Men?    Alasjr  wereatriflirg 
fight  to   1  h is.       Methinks  my  unbelief 
that  pleads  fo  much  for  fenfe,  fenfe  it 
fslf  pleads  too  ltro-gly  againft  rhee,for 
thou  canft  not  argue  one  Syllable. 
Objeft;  But  would  tbc  Son  pf  God  be 

banged 


*ro  A  Pathe'ical  Meditation 

hanged  and  crucified  ?   Couid  Heaven  have 
Suffered  this  ?    £ou!d  not  the  Saviour  of 
the  World  Jave  hlmfdf  ?      How  could  he 
thenfave  mc  ? 

Anf.  Hadft  thou  not  the  blindnefs  of 

the  Jews,  thou  could  ft  not  reafon  thus 

like  them.-,   but  was  it  not  neceflary  it 

Ihould  be  fo  ?    Dd   not    the    Prophets 

foretel  his  Dearh,    and  fuch  a  Death  ? 

Had  he  not  died,  and  died  as  he  did, I 

might  then  have  had  fome   ground   to 

doubt  him  whether  he  were  theMeffias 

or  not,  for  it  was  needful  that  tbePro- 

phecies  (hould  be  fulfilled,  Dan.9.  Bat 

yet  as  wretched  and  as  contemptible  a 

going  out  of  the  world  as  he^had,  and 

his  manner  of  dying  on  theCrofs,  how 

vile  foever  it  feemed  tobejet  was  there 

not    enougb  to  filehce  all  the   doubtsj 

that   could  polfibly  from  thence   arifeJ 

and  much  for  the  Confirmation  of   myj 

Faith,  in  the  wonderful  Fclipfe  of  the 

Sun,  the  rending   of  the    Veil    of  the 

Temple,  the  opening   of  the   Graves, 

railing  of  the  Dead,  and  afterwards  his 

own  rifingthe  third  day, and  afcending 

up  toHeaven  in  a  Cloud  >     IfmyFauh 

mighi  have  liagjjered  in  feeing  him  on 

the 


on  the  Vojjion  of  Cbrijf.  1 1 1 

rofs  dying,  ir  could  not  when  it  faw 
im  riren,and  in  the  Clouds  afcending. 

Ohjeft,  But  mre  tbofe  wonders  trut 
id  certain  ? 

Ar.fw.  But  haft  thou  any  ground  to 
oubt  them  ?  Are  they  not  written  in 
)y  Bible  l  And  art  thou  not  certain 
lat  it  is  the  Word  of  God  >  Or  haft 
lou  not  fufficient  Reafon  to  believe  it 
>  be  fo?  But  halt  thou  not  a  whole 
ation,  yeaNations  that  do  believe  the 
me  ?  And  before  this  age,  did  not 
ir  Fathers,and  Grandfathers.and  great 
randfathers,  and  fo  continued  a  refti- 
ony  of  Ages  from  the  time  that  they 
ere  done,  to  this  day,  witnefs  to  the 
r uth  of  them,and  that  fo  unanimoufly 
id  refolutely  that  ten  thoufands  have 
ther  chofen  to  lofe  their  lives,  than 
ie  Truth  of  them.  Now  pur  ail  thefe 
gether,  and  tell  me,canft  thou  doubt  > 
way,  I  fee  thou  doit  but  trifle  *  con- 
fs  the  trutb3or  1  am  refolved  to  heed 
iee  no  longer.  Come,take  2c  embrace 
lat  crucified  Jefus,  account  all  things 
fe  but  as  lofs,  and  drofs,  and  dung  in 
pmpatifon  wirh  him  ;  (tick  not  at  his 
itwaid' meannefs,  fcruple  not  at  his 

ignominious 


ignominious  dying,  ir  is  the  veryChril 
the  Saviour  of  the  World.  Oh  wh; 
fcouldeft  thou  thus  torment  me  ?  Dof 
thou  not  fee  ail  thy  fellow  Chriftian 
to  Glory  in  thatCrofs,and  in  thatChril 
that  died  on  it  ?  Do  they  not  bear  it  a; 
a  badge  of  honour.  &  (hall  it  be  to  the< 
asfliame*  Do  not  ail  theChriftianWoric 
sat  and  drink  as  often  as  they  can  th( 
Symbols  of  this  their  dyingLord?  Anc 
do  they  not  all  fing,and  joy,&  triumpl 
in  it  ?  And  wilt  thou  the  while  lie 
vexing  thy  felf  over  a  company  o! 
needlefs  fears  and  fcruples  ?  Farewel 
ail  needlefs  doubts  and  tormenting 
Queftions,  I  fee  my  Faith  is  built  on  \ 
Rock,  blow  winds,  beat  waves,  yot 
cannot  now  move  me.  BlefTed  God  | 
I  thank  thee,  for  thy  Son,  tbou  hafl 
given  his  Life  fox  the  fpoiler,thou  haft 
bowed  his  back  to  the  enemies,  lonj 
furrows  have  they  plowed  upon  i^and 
the  day  of  his  calamity  they  laugher 
at.  Lord":  Thcu  haft  wounded  hin 
for  my  fins,and  bruifed  him-for  my  ini; 
quities.  Thefe  fpeak  the  depth  of  thj 
counfds,  and  the  ways  of  thy  mercj 
part  finding  out,  and  the  tendernefs  o 


en  the  V<fjion  rf  Cbriji.  II J 
:hy  bowels.  Thou  halt  made  him  my 
Rock,  and  my  fhield,  and  my  thong 
Tower,  and  in  the  day  of  my  forrow 
through  him  thou  wilt  hear  me.  To 
thee,  OGod,  will  I  make  my  vows,  and 
to  thee  will  I  pay  them  5  I  will  hum: 
ble  my  felf  before  thee.  I  will  always 
lie  at  the  feet  of  my  Redeemer.  lord! 
His  Crofs  and  his  fhame  fh all  be  no 
more  a  ftumbling-blcck  to  me,  I  will 
take  it  up  and  follow  him,  it  (hall  be 
my  Crown,  my  Song,  and  the  glory  of 
my   rejoycing.     I  will  enter  into  thy 

[Courts  with  joy,  and  in  the  Congrega- 
ions  of  thy  Saints  (hall  be  my  delight; 
will  remember  thy  loving  kindneffes 
^f  old,  &  the  days  in  which  thou  didft 
(jfflift  thy  only  Son  for  the  fins  of  my  Soul. 
i  will  call  to  mind  theCovenant  of  thy 
3race$  and  my  heart  fhall  praife  thee,' 
fvhen  I  fee  it  founded  on  blood.  Then 
will  I  betrorh  my  felf  to  thy  Son;  join 
thou,  Lord,  both  our  hands  and  hearts,' 
ind  we  will  ftrike  up  a  ma'ch  forever; 
?raife  thou  the  Lord,  Oh  my  foul,  and 
ill  you  that  love  and  iear  him,  praife 
lis  holy  name. 

L  The 


ii4        A  Vaibetical  Meditation 

The  SACRAMENT, 

The  DreJS. 

Lord,  where  am  i!  What!  All  th< 
Children  of  the  Bride-chamber  up  and 
dreft,  and  I  {lumbering  in  my  bed!  Tell 
me  ye  fairelt,    what  make  you  up  fc 
early  ?  Alas  our  Lord  was  up  before  ui 
all.     He  called  us  up  by  break  of  day 
and  wondered   that  we  were  not  trim 
ming  our  lamps,  knowing  with  whorr 
we  are  to  fealt  this  day.    Oh  well  thei 
I  will  rife  up  too.    Oh  what  a  fhew  dt 
thefe  bright  and  glittering  Saints  mak< 
in  mine  eyes  ?     What  a  brightnefs  d< 
thefe  pearls  and  diamonds  caft  in  mini 
eyes!  They  do   Itrike  me  into  amaze 
ment.     Oh  what  a  lovely  humble  iool 
doth  crown  their  brow  ?    And  what  \ 
comely  Countenance  hath  joy  and  Hea 
venly    delight  caft   on  their   cheeks 
Surely  they  did   not  thus  drefs  them 
feives,  it  was  myFather  that  made  then! 
thus  prepar'd  ro  entertain  his  Son.  BuJ 
where  are  my  Cloaths  ?    Now  for  th! 
•faiieft,  fweetelt  robe  of  thoughts  an<| 

wifhei 


on  the  TaJJion  of  Cbriji.  1 1 5 

wifhes  that  can  be  found,  or  that    the 
tfardrope  of  my  Father  can  afford  me. 
3h  how  naked  am  I  ?     But  where  are 
my  filken  golden  twifis  of  Faith  to  bang 
'be  jewels,  of  joy  and  love^and  humility  up- 
\n  f     I  am  never  drelt  till  they  he  on. 
3h  where,   where  are    they  ?      I   faw 
:hem  by  me  hue  jult  now.     I  laid  them 
ay  my  heart  before  I  went  to  bed.     Oh 
what  was  I  fo  long  a  reafoning  about  ? 
Oh  what  long  and    many    threds  did 
my  reafon  fpin  even  now,  but  to  make 
Ihefe  twines  to  tye  up  my  joy-   and  to 
raife  up  my  love,  and  to  hang  my  hea* 
ve  ily  delight  upon  ?     But  ah  !    I  feat 
this  envious  world   hath  with  her  va- 
nities fto-Ien  them  away,  or   hid  them 
From  me:  or  the  envious  Devil,  or  un- 
belief have  been    ravelling  or  fnarling 
of  then  ,  that  now  I  am  as  far  to  feek 
is  ever.     Whither,    O  whither  fhall  I 
m  to  find  them  out  ?    Now,  will  the 
bridegroom  come, and  I  am  not  ready  ? 
1  cannor,dare  nor  goto  day.     Now  will 
ny  Lord  be  angry,  and    ask  me  why  I 
:ama  nor, arc!  I  have  no  anfiver  to  make 
iim.     And  if  I  go  undrelt,  he  will  ssk 
ue,where  is  my  Wedding  garment,  ar.d 
L  2    i  then 


St 6  A  Pathetica!  Meditation 

then  I  fhjll  be  fpeechlefs.  Ah  foollffl 
fimple  heart  /  that  thou  fhouldeft  rake 
no  more  care  but  to  let  thefe  thought! 
of  earth  fo  entangle  themfelves  witf 
thy  fo  pure  and  heavenly  contemplati- 
ons /  Now  how  to  get  them  looft 
again,  thou  knoweft  not  \  this  thoi 
mighteft  by  heed  &  care  have  prevent 
cd  5  but  now  tvhar  help  >  Lord,  I  have 
finned  5  O  holy  Father  pardon  thii 
time,  and  I  will  take  more  heed,  Oi 
come  and  unne  my  thoughts  from  thii 
earth, and  come  and  drefs  me  up  as  bef 
pleafeth  thee.  Come,  be  not  difcou« 
raged,  Oh  my  Soul  !  Let  but  thy  attire 
of  Grace  be  whole,  that  is,  fincere,  thj 
G  d,  and  fo  thy  Saviour  will  accep' 
thee%  Though  thy  garments  are  not  fc 
much  perjumei  with  Hetven,  as  thy  bre- 
threns  are,  bur  yet  if  jr  href  are  bu< 
white  and  free  from  the  fpots  of  fieff 
and  fpirir,  thou  wilt  be  looked  on  anc 
liked  of  well  enough.  Thy  Lord  dot! 
know  that  all  have  not  Talents  alike 
and  where  he  gives  but  lirtle,he  expeft 
but  liffle.  A  faith  that  is  richly  im 
broiderel  over  with  love  and  delight,  i 
not  given  to  all  ^  and  is  not  expeftet 

iron 


on  the  Vaffion  of  Cbrift.  U? 
from  any  bur  from  thofe  to  whom  it  is 
given.  Thou  halt  an  honelt,  willing/ 
ferious  hearr,  that  thinks  it  doth  dcf- 
pife  and  trample  under  feet,  the  near* 
elt,  dearelt  pleafures,  profits  &  gL  ries 
in  the  worldfin  compare  with  him  that 
gave  himfelf  to  death  for  thee  \  and 
hadlt  rather  anger  iiefh  and  blood,  the 
dearelt  friends,  and  all  than  him,  by 
finning  againft  him  in  the  lealt.  If  this 
be  true,fear  not,  thou  halt  thy  wedding- 
garment  on,  thou  art  well  clad  •,  as 
mean  foever  as  it  is,  it  is  fuch  a  ore  as 
heaven  gave  thee,  and  fucha oneasthy 
dear  Redeemer  can,  and  will  embrace 
thee  in. 

The  FrefencrChmhr* 

Fear  nor,  O  my  foul,  I  charge  thee 
Jo  not  faint.  Let  nor  thy  weiknefs, 
ihd  the  poverty  of  thy  grace, dilcourage 
rhee  :  See  how  thy  Lord  draws  nigh. 
Feafr  nor,- 1  fiy,  he  will  not  ask  thee, 
Friend,  hvvo  ci?nefl  thou  hither  not  havirtg 
>/?  thy  Wedhng.garment  ?  He  fees  thy 
Hem,  and  lees  thou  halt  it  on.  Oh  he 
I0B&-3  l  And  it  is  but  to  whifper  th^§ 
ij  a- 


I  r  8         A  Tathetical  Meditation 
a  welcome  in  thine  ear^  it  isbut  tofalj 
abour    thy  neck  and  kifs  thy    be  reai'd 
cheeks,  and  bid  rhee  a  kind    welcome 
lo  thy  bleeding  Lord. 

Sou!.  On  did  i  think  to  be  thus  much 
jnade  of  !  I  thought  be  would  not 
have  mil  ded  me  $  but  I  did  no  foorei 
appear  &  let  my  feet  within  the  dcois, 
bur  he  ran  «o  meet  me  ^  he  took  me  in 
liis  arms,  he  brought  me  hither,  and 
fet  me  here.  Is  this  a  houfe,  or  is  it  a 
Palace  ?  Is  this  a  Court  for  Princes,  or 
for  Angels  ?  Never  did  place  more 
favifh  me  into  amazement  than  this 
p!?cs  /  Beautiful  are  thy  gates ',  0  Zion  I 

0  how  pleajant  it  the  habitation  of  the  moji 
high  I  Is  it  the  place  or  the  company 
that  Itrikes  m*  into  alionifhment !  Now 

1  can  f3y,moit  feelingly  fay  wtihDavicf. 
My  delights  are  with  the  Sai&ts  of  the  moji 
l)igh,  and  the  mo  ft  excellent  of  tie  tank 
Their  poverty,their  difgrace,  jheir  cor.9 
senipt  amongit  whom  they  live,  do  not 
puzzle  my  quick  ey'd  Faith  ;  thefe  ar<| 
the  Kings  Daughters  that  are  all  ghriouk 
with  in, their  garments  are  of  needle  w  rk. 
2)%hfQi&creA  over  with  fur e  gold,  fine  f$ui 


on  the  Tajjion  of  Chrijf.  i  T  9 

nean  foever  they  are,  or  may  fcem  to- 
>e,  thefe  (hail  fee  v^ith  Chilt  to  Judge 
he  World,     Ob./  How  my  S  ul  is  ra- 
fifhed  wich  delight,  to  fee. and  lock  on 
hofe  with  whom  /  fhall  live  for  ever ! 
f  they  are  fo  lovely  now,    what   will 
•hey  be  hereafter,  when  our  God  fhall 
ake  them, and  fcowr  off  their  rult,  and 
wafh  their  Garments  bright  in  the  Sun- 
shine of  bis  countenance,  H.  change  thofe 
mortal  and  corruprible  bodies  into  im- 
mortal and  glorious  ones ;  and  fet  them 
upon  thrones,  about  himfelf,  and   lade 
their  heads  with  crowns  of  mafly  gold  j 
and  when  I  fhall  hear   them    warbling 
ouc  the  everiafting  Praifes  of  the  Lamb, 
whofe   Body  and  Blood  we  fhall   fi$ 
down  to  feed  on  ! 

Communion  Plate. 

Kevar  voasGold  or  Si  her  graced  thus  before] 
To  bring  thisBodyiS 'ibis Blood  to  us,  h  more 
than  to  Crown  Kings, 
or  be  mode  Rings 
'  Star  like  Diamonds  to  glitter  in* 

Ike 


12© 


A  Patbetica!  Meditation 


The  Brcjd. 


Welcome  FaijrefK  take  anS  tat  ;     h\ 
the    fWeetcit  dainties,    deceit   morfe 
Heaven  c^n  afford  rhee.     Welcome  vc\\ 
Dear,  ro  the  Fable  of  mv  Lord.     Wei 
c<  me  a  thoufand  times3I  bid  thee  \  ycz 
welccmer    than    thine  own    heart  car 
IKifli.     Take,  eat  this  morfel,it  coft  raj 
life y  it's  a  portion  thy  Father  ient  unt'C 
thee     by     me,    ad    bid   me  remem- 
ber thee  of  his  love  ro  rhee.      He  bid* 
thee  remember  a  Fathers  love,     Ay3  a 
Saviours.    He  hath  a  heart  to  give  thee 
and  fo  have  f.     Take  this  inearnelt  oi 
them  both  in  one.     Take  freely    ;    if 
thou  were  not  welcome,   I  would  have; 
told  thee  $  I   would    have   asked  thee 
for  thy  Wedding  garment,  knew  1  not 
thy  heart  ;  or  if    I  were   urieerra in   of 
thy  love,  /  wouM  havefcorn'd  rhee  as 
unworrhy  of  my  prefence  v  did  /  know 
thou  lb  v  eft  any  thing  above  me  I  would 
have  hid  my  face,and  never  have  fpr  ke 
thee  a  welcome  fo  feelingly  &.-Vjndly 
fo  thy  S-trl.     Tell  me  O felftnfe  $>  ft 
thou  not  love  me  ?    i  &now  thou- dolt  -, 

moiei 


on  the  TaJJhn  ofCbriJf.  i*f 

more  than  Father  or  Mother,  Wife  or 
Child, Lands  orLiving.orCredir  *  I  knov? 
thou  doft.     And  wilt  thou  not  take  the 
Crofs  and  follow  me  ?  I  know  thou  wilt, 
I  fee  and  know  the  labour  of  thy  love  ^ 
I  remember  the  pairs  and  travel  of  thy 
Soul  h  I  fa w  rbee  follow  me  on  thy  knees 
Jn  tears,  and  begged  my  life  rather  than 
thy    lite.     I  know  thy  heart,    I  faw  it 
Weeding  before   my  Throne-,  I  rook  it 
in  my  arms  and  bound  it  up,  and  in  that 
breaft  1  remember  I  put  it  up  again  $  I 
faw  thee  when  no  eye  faw  thee^  1  heard 
thee,  and  had  companion  on  thy  groan- 
ings.whilft  thou- wert  complaining  that 
f  nad  (hue  out  thy  prayers  ;    I  well*  re- 
member fince  thy  heart  did  firft  fall  fick 
with  love,  fince  the  time  thy  flefh    be- 
gan to  die,  and  fince  thou  laidlt  thy  felf 
in  the  gravedovvn  by  me,  and  wert  will- 
ing to  die  to  ail  this  vain  emp*y  glory 
of  the  world,  becaufe  1  died  and  left  it. 
J  know  thee  well  enough,  Thou  art  miney 
and  I  am  thine.     Take  ir,  1  charge  thee*, 
eat  it  as  thou  loveft   me  *   and    whilft 
thou  feedeft,  remember  the  love  of  thy 
deareft  Redeemer. 

Sou!, 


122         A  Patbetical  Meditation 

Soul  Oh  'tis  the  fweeteft  meat   that 
ever  tongue  did  taft  $  it  fends  a    relifh 
to  my  very  heart -,  /  find  it  digefts  as  ic 
defcends,  I  feel  my  nerves  a  d  finews 
Itrengrhen  ;    I   never  knew  that  bread 
was  the fiffoflilc  till   now;   Oh  how5 
fie  is  my  foul  now  for  Chrifi.'  Howeafie^ 
do  I  now-  find  his  yoke-,  how  light  h's 
burden!  Met hinks  I  could  warchor  pny, 
or  read  more  earneftly,  refolvedly,  be- 
lievingly,  than  even      Oh  /  Methirks 
I  can  take  his  Crofsand  bear  it  ftrongly, 
and  take  the  fhameand  defpife  it  fully* 
Oh  >ris  a  fealt  of  fat  t-hings!  The  rich- 
eft  binquet  of  Love  that  ever  1  was  ar  j.| 
ic  was  but  a    lictle  that  I  rook,  and  ic 
fills  me  full,   my  hungry  ftomach  now 
erys,  Vis  enough,  1  find  it  now  verified 
tomy  Soul  and  Spirit,  that  he  that  eats 
of  this  bread  (hall  never:  hunger  m  >re. 
Well,  I  need  not  ftarve    when  there  is 
fuch  bread    in  my    Fathers   houfe.      I 
need  not,  I  will  not,  1  cannot  feed  any 
longer  on  husks  with  the  fwine  of  the 
world,     J  fed  on  air  and  fmoke  before; 
I  never  tafted  fubftantial    Brecid    till  / 
taftedofthis.     This  is  theftjffofmy 
life,  and  upon  this   will  /  fupport   my 
felf  to  my  very  Grave.  lb* 


en  the  Vajjion  of  Cbrift.        123 

The  Wine. 

ChriR.  Come  my  Deareft,  I  have 
Irunk,  and  thou  (halt  pledge  me:  1 
teve  broached  my  fide,  and  drew  it  vti 
Durpofe  for  thee.  This  is  a  Wine  of 
nine  own  makirg,  when  I  trod  the 
ftHneprefs  of  my  Fathers  wrath.  It  is 
T)y  blood  $  but  rake  and  drink  ir5  it 
was  the  caufe  of  my  wounding,  but  to 

Ihy  Soul  ic  fhall  prove  healing.  I  died 
nd  bled,  ir  was  but  co  make  this  Ban^ 
[uet  for  thee.  /  have  brought  thee  in- 
o  my  Wine-Cellar,  and  my  Banner  o- 
er  thee  fhall  be  love.  Fear  nor,  take 
nd  drink,  the  u  haft  an  ulcer  in  thy 
heart,  and  this  fhall  cure  ir  ^  fpots  and 
ftains  of  guilt  on  thy  Soul,  and  this 
fhall  pujge  them  away  *  thy  Spirits 
ire  fainr,  this  fhall  revive  thee,  thou 
irt  afraid  to  fee  thy  Fathers  face,  this 
(hall  make  thee  to  draw  near  ihe 
Fhrone  of  Grace  with  boldnefs.  Drink, 
I  charge  thee  *  drink  on  thy  love  and 
loyalty  to  me.  1  command  thee  as  thou 
wilt  have  thy  heart  to  mend,  thy 
bound*  to  cure,  thy  Soul  to  love  and 

obey 


obey  me,  take,  O  take  this  cup  into  thy 
han^  caft  it,  and  praife  my  love. 

SouL  Lord !  /  have  taken,  /  have 
drunk  as  thou  haft  bid  me,  /neither 
could,  or  dare  deny  thee.  Can  /  refufe, 
thy  blood  when  /  have  accepted  thy 
felf }  Or  can  /  accept  my  pardon  at  thjr 
hands,  and  refufe  the  Seal  thereof?  / 
know /am  vile,  /am  vile,  but  thou 
haft  pardoned  me.  Lord,  1  have  abuf- 
ed  thy  love,  athoufand  times  refufed 
thy  offered  felf  and  withftood  the  ten- 
eers  of  thy  Grace  •,  but  thou  haft  cover* 
ed  all  my  fins,  thou  haft  freely  juftified 
me  by  thy  Grace,  and  made  a  full  atr 
tonement  for  me  by  thy  blood  h  this  is 
that  thou  freely  biddeft  me  take,  and 
I  have  freely  drunk  it.  Never  was 
Wine  fo  full  as  this  is.  Never  was 
Bowl  fo  full  of  pleafure  as  this.  I 
have  fwallowed  down  my  life  and  par- 
don at  one  draught :  took  it  from  my 
Saviours  hand,it  was  a  cup  of  his  own 
preparing.  If  ever  drink  was  fugared, 
this  was  / 1  never  tailed  better  reliflit 
Wine  in  all  my  life  / 

"  Tb$ 


on  the  rajjton  oj  Lor  i  If.  t2% 

The  ricbefi   Cordials  cannot    match  this 

{draught  Divine, 
Spirits  of  pearls  dijfolvcd  would  but  dead 

(ibu  Wme. 
Ob  when  my  hopes  but  kifl  the  purple  dews, 
( they  bung  and  cleaved  fo9 
As  if  they  were  loth  to  let  thee  go. 
Tbey  flroveU  firuglcd  to  get  near  my  beart± 
As  ij  intending  there  to  take  apart. 
I  dare  not  Jay  them  nay  5  blood  from  that 

(Bowl 
May  the  beft  room  command  within  myzouU 

Whatafudden  ftrange,  yet  happjr 
alteration  do  I  find  within  !  My  lan- 
guid fpirits  are  revived  $  my  winter  is 
over.  Methinks  I  feel  my  life  and  joy 
to  fpring  amain.  My  Aaron's  Rod  (a 
dry  flick  but  now  )  doth  bloom  and 
flourifh.  My  newly  ingrafted  Soul  is 
full  of  Infant-clufters. 

Blood  at  the  root  oj  Vines 

Tbey  fay  produce  the  ricbeft  Wines. 

Oh  /  If  my  Lord  will,  undertake  x6 

drefs  this  Vine,  and  trickle  down  his 

blocd  into  my  root,  then  draw  it  up  in- 

to  each  branch  of  Grace  by  the  warm-, 

M  ing 


l'j5         A  Vatbetical  Me&itatwn 

ingbeam  of  his  reviving  love*  then  1 

my  Deareft  come,  let  him  come  as   1 

jhath  promiied,   and  bring  my  Fath 

and  his  Father  with  him,  and  ftfpboi 

(with  me  and  in  me.    Let  them    com 

and  /  will  did  them  a  welcome,  7  (ha 

have  a  fruit  to  prefent  them  with,  whi< 

jthey  themfelves  (hall  fay  is  pleafam 

^  (hall  not  fend  my  Father  away   no 

fo  oft   complaining,  I  came  to  feekji 

grapes  and  fruity  but  behold  wild  ones. 

The  Gonclufion. 

Oh!   Howunwillingly  do  /  rife!M( 

thinks  I  could  fit   here  and   fealt  m 

heart  and  eyes  for  ever.    What  ru; 

ing .Banquets  doth  my  Lord  afford  it 

there  !  Surely  he  fhould  not  need  tofe; 

1  fliould  furfet  on  himfeif.    But   alas 

I  mult  be  gone,   what  (hall  1  do  in  yoi 

der  hungry  foul  ftarving  world  again  ?\ 

have  been  feeding  on  my  Pafchal  Lamj 

and  now  I  muft  go  and  eat  my    fowl 

herbs-,  but  if  it  be  fo,  I   muft   arife  | 

fcn&*r  thou  haft  prepared   the   endlcl 

Jteaft  above,  where  1  (hall  ever  fit'  ail 

cn^oy  thy  Love,  and  glut  my   hungf 

ey^e  and  heart  on  the   Banquet  of  til' 

•yecUftingfelf.     As  vet  I  am  now  <l 

earn 


§n  the  TaJJion  of  CbriH.  127 
gtrth,  my  toil  and  work  lies  heavy  oa 
,iy  hands,  /  have  yet  an  afternoon  to 
?  hour  our,God  knows  my  work  is  hard; 
>o  hard  for  me  my  felf  to  perform,  I 
arcely  fliould  havelafted  our  fo  long, 
at  that  fomtimes  at  fuch  feafons  as 
lis  is,  he  repaired  my  finking  fpirirs 
i  pouriigin  the  Cordialsof  his  Blood, 
fowl  mult  go  and  perhaps  find  as 
larp  confli&s  with  myfelf  as  ever.  I 
iow  rhe  World  and  Hell  have  been 
lying  the  fnares  and  gins  to  catch  my 
'wflcJg'd  Souh,  and  allconfpireagainit 
ly  welfare.'  Now  it  is  well  if  1  efcape 
fall,  a  bruife,  a  breaking  of  my  bones, 
1  which  fad  plight  1  have  fo  often 
in,  thar  my  Lord  might  have  took 
e  for  dead,  but  that  my  groanings 
)ld  him  loudly  I  lived.  Lord!  Mult 
leave  this  fealt  ?  Mull  /  go?  Take  me 
len  by  the  hand,  and  lead  mejif'I 
vA\  walk,  let  me  fee  thee  by  me,  ihac 
may  know  I  walk  with  my  God.  Lead 
te  away,  and  /  will  go  with  thee  j 
id  let  me  nor  go  till  thou  bringeit  me 
it-he  r  again  $  I  cannot,  will  nor  live 
irhoutthee.  And  do  thou  Loid;  fay 
mul\  nor,  fhall  nor. 

M  2  If 


128        'A  Patbetical  Meditation 

If  both  our  hearts  in  love  Jo  well  agree] 
What  tbsnjhallfeparate  my  ChriHfrom  me} 

M      I  i    ..    u in  .    inn  i         «♦'    ■!  v   ii     ,  9  <* 

A  Meditation  on  the  Death  of  Cbritt,  Pre- 
parative  to  the  Sacrament :  Fend  for 
bis  private  nfe. 

BU  T  is  he  dead  ?  Oh  fad  !  Yet  joy. 
fulnews!  How   ftrangely    is  my 
Soul  amazed,  and  diverfly  mov'd   and; 
troubi'd  by  thefe  contrary  paflions  /  Me- 
thinks  I  could  pull  up   tine  flood-gates 
•  of  my  forrow,  and  vent  it  out  in  tears, 
Jbut  fomething  bids  me  hold.     Shall 
mourn  for  him  that's  juft  now  pall  his 
itate  of  mourning?   he's   dead  !    Ani 
what  of  that?  And  fo  are  all  his  g'riefs( 
his  bloody  fweats,  his  fighs  and  groan? 
concluded,//*  hath  drunk  on  the  brook  in 
the  wiy  *  bitter  while  they  were   in  hb 
mouth,  and  he  was  living  -5  but    fwee 
■now  they  have  funk  into  his  belly,  anc 
he  in-Heaven.     Sweet  to  him,  lecauf 
it  was  his  wotk,and  he  hath  finifh'd  it 
and  fweet  to  me,    becaufe    ir    was  th 
portion  of  forrow,  death,    hell,   that 
njuli   have   taken.      And   caift   tho 

nioun 


i 


on  tbeF.ffion  rf  Chnjf.         12? 
mourn!   Methinksif  thou  didft:   love, 
the   heart   fhould    rather   fympathizs 
With  his :  He  is  firging,  and  fhalr  thou 
be  fighing  ?  He  is  joying  that  his  Woik 
s  done,  and  now  is  welcomed  into  Hea« 
/en  by  God  his  Father,  and  fhouting  up 
)jr  Angels  Voices,   as   the  great   Can* 
jaeror  of  the  Hearts  of  Men  nn  Earth, 
ind  that  now  in  triumph  he  is  return- 
ed.    And  will  a  mournful  weed,  a  wee 
jye,  and  a  cloudy  brow,  become    thee 
it  thefe  times  of  Feliivals?  Shall    rh^ 
leavenly   Angels  be  joyful,   and  :hcu 
ad  ?HowftrangeIy  will'this  be  conUm- 
bd  ?  Will  it  not  be  faid,  Thou  doit  not: 
ove  him?  Or  thou  doft  envy  his  reco- 
vered Glory  rhar  he  had  left,  and   now 
igatn  hath  take*  .?  Or  that   thou   « n ft 
lot  endure  to  fee  him  wear  his  Princes 
£rown  in  Heaven,  that  for  a   time  ho 
lad  laid  a  fide  to  comedown  to  the  carib 
o  fetch  thee  thence  to  Heaven  ?  Bur  an/ 
tfy  Lord,  thou  wilt  not  fuie  interpret: 
brrow  thus  \  thou  haft  not  lure  foigot 
o  give  a  meaning  unro  tears,  to  tench 
figh  to  fpek,   and  then  ro    know  its 
anguage!  Hath  my  Lojd  forgot  fofud- 
liiljf  chat  he  was  on  earib,  &  1  bar  he 
M  3  iwear,. 


*3o  A  Tathetkal  Meditation 

lwear,&nd  groan'd,  and  wept,and  bled, 
•  as  well  as   I  do    noiv?   What    though! 
Jiow  all  tears,  and  farrow,  and  fighii  g 
Is  done  away,  and  he  ceafeth  to  be  any 
longer  fubjefct  to   our  infirmities  ?   Yet, 
lure  he  knows  it  is  not  thus   with  usJ 
I  am  nor  yet  in  Heaven,  nor   am  I  yet! 
quite  pait  the  vale  of  farrow^  and  it] 
cannot  then  be    range    to  him,  if   he: 
lees  fomti  tries  our  faces  look  of  a  ladder 
hue  than  thofe  that  are  inHeaven.  Bu 
why  fhould  thus  my  tears  be  checked 
and  my  throbbing   heart  be  chidden 
were  it  for  a  thing  of  nought  I   migh 
be  counted  fool  or  .child*  but  fhall  in 
Saviour   die,   and  vent   his    Soul   in 
ftream  of  Blood,  &  ali;in  love  to  me 
And  fhall    he  thus  forfike  the  world 
and  die  and  thten  be  laid   in  the  grave, 
anil  be  denied  the  liberty  of  following 
him  thither  as  a  mourner?  Shall  it  bd 
Faid'  of  the  Prince  of  Glory,  that  he  did 
ed  and  had  the   burial  of  an  Afs  ?  Be<| 
caufe  there  was    none  to  farrow   forth 
thofe  words    of,    Ah  my  Lordl    What* 
S nail  ic  be  granted  to  a  Wife  to  mourn 
for  .the.  death  of  a   beloved    Husband 
And  ta  a  Child  at  the  burial  of  a  belovjc 


on  the  VojTt-n  of  Chrft  l  ?i 

jBFarher?  Shall  not  fuch  be  blamed, 
lit  rather  pitied?  A-d(hill  their  friends 
corns  in  and  bonfefs  (he  lofs  and  the 
ground  of  their  forrow  jult,  and  rather 
fit  them  down  ad  hear  thern  company* 
in  their  grief  >  Ad  mufti  of  all  be 
thuscenfur'd  >  \way  with  an  Husband, 
Wife,  or  Child  to  me:  Is  he-  nor  more 
to  me  than  ten  Husbands  ?  Mghc  I  not 
have  had  an  hundred  chat  would  have 
never  done  hal  fo  much  for  me  as  he 
hach  done  ?  Tha<  fiift  left  his  glory 
for  my  fake,  and  laid  down  his  life,. 
and  took  the  ftroke  upon  himfelf  that 
I  my  fdtdeferved,8£allbecaufeheiov'd 
me?  Was  ever  friend  like  this  Friend  ! 
And  ever  Love,  like  this  Love/  Many 
waters  cannot  quench  love^  but  neither 
waters,  blood,  death,  nor  many  deaths 
could  quench  his  love  to  me.  But  (halt 
he  love, &  die  inlove,8e:rhus  be  forc'd  to 
leave  me,becaufe  he  lov'd  me,  and  I  not 
mourn  the  abfence  of  my  belt  Beloved  ? 
How  unreafonable  may  any  this  deny 
me.'  Bur  ah!  What  a  bitter  worded 
check,  did.  I  even  now  receive  ;  as  if  my 
forrow  would  arife  from  the  envying  of 
4as  now  glorious  Hate,  aa&  not"  from 


I  %1  A  Tatbetica) r  Meditation 

any  lore  I  bare  him/  Oh  /  What  needle- 
pointed  .words  are  thofe/  Methinks 
they  have  pierc'd  mine  heart  in  every 
parr,  and  from  each  prick  hath  Raited 
forth  a  drop,  that  Jiarh  fet  ito'ie 
with  a  bloody  dew  !  But  how  can 
it  once  be  thought  that  envy  fhould 
get  a  room  in  an  heart  that's 
full  of  love,  with  which  it  fwells,  it 
bubbles  up,and  runs  all  over?  h  cannot 
be.  Bear  witnefs  heavens  !  I  do  not 
grieve  that  you  contain  him,  bur  that 
I  on  earth  have  loft  him !  Oh  my  God  / 
1  am  not  forry  that  thy  Son  bath  part 
his  fufferings,  and  is  arriv'd  to  reft,  ard 
got  again  into  thy  bofom,  his  ancient 
neft  of  love  and  pleafure.  Oh  you 
blefTed  Orders  of  Seraphim  &  Cberubims, 
and  you  innumerable  company  oj  tiejpirits 
oftbejujlmenmadeperjett!  I  da  not 
envy  that  you  have  my  Lord  with  you, 
that  you  fee  his  face, and  live  and  walk, 
and  joy  in  the  light  of  hiscountenance  : 
Alas  !  We  your  poor  Brethren  could 
not  make  him  fo  welcome  hereon  eanb, 
as  you  can  there  .•  We  lov  d  him  as  fin- 
cerely  as  you,  and  believed  in  him,and 
took  delight  in  him  too  •,  but  yet  no- 
thing 


on  the  TaJJion  of  Cbrlfl.  1 3  * 
thing  near  fo  much  as  you.  You  know 
him  better  than  we  do  •,  for  jrou  know 
tlim  as  you  are  known,  ard  therefore 
know  better  how  to  prize  him.  We 
know  him  but  in  parr,  and  the  value, 
price,  and  love  could  but  be  in  the  like 
proportion.  He  is  therefore  far  much 
fetter  there  than  here  $  and  how  (hall 
[  then  either  envy  him  or  you  /  And 
what,  my  Soul  !  Should  I  with  him 
jack  again  ?  What  if  I  thought  1  could 
prize  and  love  him  more,  and  could 
promife  the  like  for  all  his  beloved 
iifciples  ?  I  could  not  alike  engage  for 
:he  wicked,  envious,  malicious,  unbe- 
lieving world  •,  I  could  not  promife  he 
fhould  meet  with  no  othcrBeroitoUtk 
lis  Life,  or  that  the  hatd-hearted/at^ 
would  give  him  better  entertainment, 
whom  they  dare  yet  curfe  with  the 
name  of  Conjurer,  though  Wrfij  and 
their  Propoetsbore  vvirnefs  ro  him, and 
(hough  they  received  a' feal  from  Hea- 
iren  in  voices,  thunders,  fign£,and  an  in- 
numerable company  of  real  Miracles. 
Oh  no  /  my  I  ord  /  Though  I  could  wifh 
to  fee  thy  face  again  on  earth, yet  not  in 
fucli  a  Itaie  of  mifery  in  the  midlt  of  a 

den 


f?4  A  Tatbet teal  Meditation 

den  of  Bears,  and  Lions,  as  not   long 
fincethou  wait.     Ah  !  Thou  knoweft  I 
took  no  delight  to  hear  that  traiteroas 
news  of  thine  own  Apojile  that  had  be- 
tray'd  thee;  and  that  ic  fill'd  mine  heart 
with  anguifh  to  hear   how  fhamefully 
and  fcornfully  thou  wait  abufed.  Thou 
faweft  me  biufh  when  I  heard  thy  face 
wasfpiton  \  my   head  did   ake  when 
thine  was  crowned  with  Thorns.     An- 
giitis: indignation  did  Ioofe my  nerves, 
and   with  a  palfie  fhook  mine  Hands, 
when  thine  had  a  mockScepter  put  into 
them,  a  reed,  and  a  feoff,    Hail  Jefus 
King  of  the  Jews.      And  did  not  mine 
Heart  break  8c  bleed  to  hear  that  thine 
was  pierced  /   Ah  my  Lord  !  And  fhali 
I  yet  find  an  Heart  ro   wifh  thee  here 
again  /  No,no,  I  am  glad  that  thou  halt 
efcap'd  their  bloody  Hands,   and    now 
got  quite  without  their  reach.       I  am 
glad  thou  halt  got  to  perfect  eafe  and 
reft  ;   and  know'ft  no  pains,  nor  griefs, 
nor  forrows.     Oh!  Take  a  fullPofTeffion 
of  thy  Fathers  Bre3ft5and  fit  thee  down 
upon  his  Throne,  Thou  art   a  King  jvr 
ever.      And  take  delight  in  thefe,    thy 
Soul  did  travel,   die  £nd  bleed  for  on 

Eanh.- 


on  the  TaJJion  of  Chriji.  135 
Earth.  I  will  repine  at  nothing  that 
(hall  advance  thy  Glory.  But  Oh  ! 
Thou  cruel  bloody  unbelievingWorld  / 
You  wicked  murtherous  bloody  Jews  ! 
Though  I  rejoice  myLord  is  fafearrived 
home,  and  quietly  landed  within  his 
Haven  •,  yet  from  you  I  cannot  hold 
mine  anger,  that  made  his  Sea  a  Sea  of 
Blood,  and  drain'd  his  Heart,  to  make 
it  deeped,  fill'd  h\sSai/s  with  fighs  and 
groans,  that  caus'd  his  Voyage  to  be  fo 
doleful.  What  good  got  you  to  fland 
and  laugh  to  fee  him  forrowful?  To 
feoff  &  jeer  to  hear  his  Lamentations  ? 
Wh*r  curfed  rage  was  that  to  make 
fach  hafte  to  fetch  him  vinegar  and  gall 
to  prolong  his  life,  to  lengthen  out  his 
dolors  >  How  could  you  find  fuch  bar- 
barous hearts  to  triumph  over  a  bleed- 
ing dying  Lamb,  that  was  fo  innocent  ? 
How  could  you  taunt  at  him  when  you 
heard  him  praying  for  you,  Father  for- 
livethem!  And  fo  tenderly  excufing 
jrou,  for  tbey  know  not  what  they  do  ! 
Methinks  that  kindly  harmlefs  carriage 
"  ould  have  pierced  your  Hearts ;  thofe 
elting  Words  fhould  haye  diffolv'd 
iem  i  and  inltead  of  piercing  him,  I 

DiQuld 


1 36         A  Patbetlcal  Meditation 
fliould  have  thought  you  pierced.  And 
ah  !  But  that  1  know  an  unbelieving 
Heart   my  felf,  and   underltand  what 
hardnefs  means,  I  fhould  itand  and  won- 
der !  Oh!  It's  too  hard  an  Adament  for 
downy  words,  and  doleful  founds,  and 
tender  carriages  to  break  and  (hatter  / 
Howoften  have  Iout-ftood  all  thofe  my 
felf/  And  when  I  ferved  my  fiefh,  hovr 
little  did  I  mind   them/   And  when 
they  have  been  prefented  to  me  in  the 
Gofpel,  or  in  a  Sermon  told  that  all 
ihefe  Tortures  he  endur'd  for  me,  and 
J  in  part  believed  it  too,  yet,  was  I  not 
as  a  man  bereft  of  my  fenfes,  and  /  waS 
no  more  mov'd  in  mine  Heart,  as  if  I  had 
not  heard  or  underftood,    and   were 
quite  bereav'dof  SenfeandReafon.  Bui 
had  /thus  continued  in  my   fenfelefs 
unbelieving  State,  and  as  /  liv'd  fo  diedj 
yet  how  defervedly  fliould  I  have  born 
the  wrath  of  God,  and   have  been  feni 
to  Hell  as  a  recompence  of  mine  unbe 
lief?  And  yet,  youcarelefsfecure/'ww 
can    you  think    to  efcape    when  God 
comes  to  make  Inquifition  for   Blood 
how  will  you  do  if  this  Sin  fhould  fine 
you  out?  IfGod  requiiesBloodforBlood 

wha 


<m  the  Tajjion  of  Cbrift.  137 

tfhat  will  become  of  yours?  If  he  had 
>een  no  more  than  a  common  Man,  the 
jw  would  then  have  required  your 
ives  for  payment.  But  how  if  in  the 
?nd  he  prove  a  Prophet  ?  Nay  more  than 
hat,  the  Son  of  themott  high  God, the 
*rince  and  Saviour  wbomGodhad  pro«f 
nifed  to  raife,  the  Mejjiab  whom  Mofet 
»nd  the  Prophets  bare  witnefs  to,  and 
jim  that  you  fo  long'd  &  wifht  to  fee ! 
low  will  you  look !  What  will  you 
ay!  What  anfwer  will  you  make  when 

II  thefe  Truths  are  cleared  ?  Where, 
rill  you  hide  your  felves  for  fhame  > 
,nd  what  will  you  do  when  Confufion 
nil  thus  take  hold  upon  you  ?  What/ 
i^ili  you  then  confefs    the  Fa£t,    or 

III  you  deny  it  ?  With  what  face  can 
ou  do  the  firft  ?  And  if  you  do  the 
:tter,  the  curfe  you  and  your  Fathers 
rew  upon  your  felves,    Let   bis   Blood 

I  upon  us,  and  our  Children  !  itand  ftilt '. 

record  againft  you,  and  will  cry  you 

ilty.     Will  you  excufe  it  with  your 

ibelieving  ignorance  ?     But  how  will 

>u  be  able  to  rub  your   brows  into  fo 

h  confidence  >    How  dare  you  fay 

were  ignorant  of  him,  when  you 

N  fay* 


'  r?S  A  Vatbeticat  MedUathnpc. 
fay  you  know  both  Mofes  and  the  Fro* 
pbets,  and  they  tear  wicnefs  oi  him  ? 
You  askt  a  figrc,  and  did  he  not  give 
you  both  figns and  wonders?  Howofren 
did  he  cure  your  Lame  >  How  won- 
derfully did  he  heal  your  Lepers,  and 
thofe  fick  of  thePalfie,yea  of  all  manner 
ofDifeafes?  How  did  he  open  the 
Eyes  of  the  blind  !  And  give  light  to 
them  that  was  born  blind!  Yea,  reftore 
the  withered  Hand,  and  make  the 
Crooked  [traighr,  and  open  the  Ears 
of  the  deaf,  and  calt  out  Devils,  and 
riife  the  Dead  I  Therefore  let  all  tM 
ilonfc  of  l/rael  know  cffurt&ly,  that  God 
bath  made  that  fame  fefus  whom-  ye  have  \ 
cnicificd%  both  Lord  and  Ghriji* 


i?9 

A  Prayer  before  the  Receiving  the  Holy 

Communion. 

MOST  Holy  God,  J  am  at  flubbh  be- 
fore thee,  the  conjumng  Fire,   Hw 
iball  I  (land  before  thy  Holinefi,  for  1  am 
tfinfulCt enure,  laden  with  Iniquity,  that 
hive  gone  bickvoird,  and  provoked  the  Ho* 
fy  One  of  Ifrael  5    when    I  vta*  loll,   thy 
Son  did  feek  and  Jive  we  \   when  1  war 
it  ad  in  Sin,  thou  tnadefl  me  alive.     The* 
raweji  me  polluted  in  my  Blood,    H?  faidft 
into  me  live.     In  that  time  0)    love  fhtw 
%overedfl  my  nakednefs.and  eriltredil  into 
r  Covenant  with  me^  afid  I  became  thine 
*von.  Thou  didfi  df liver  me  from  theRw- 
r  of  Darknefs,  and  tranflate  me  inw  the 
< '  ngdom  of  thy  detr  Son  ;    and  gaveft  me 
emfjton  of  Srn,  through  hti  B'ood.      But  I 
m  a  grievous  Revolter,   1  have  forgotten 
be  Covenant  of  the  Lord  my  God,   I  war 
ngagel  to  love  thee  with  ail  my  Hetrt,  and 
9  hue  iniquity,  and  ferve  thee  diligently^ 
nd  thankfully  t<>  Jet  forth  thy  pro  if e.  But 
have  departed  from  thee,   and  corrupted 
V  fclf  h  fef  love>    an&   h  loving  the 
for  Id)  $  the  things  that  are  in  ths  World% 
N  a  and 


54-0  A  Pathetical  Meditation 

and  have  fulfilled  the dt fires  of  the  Flejb, 
which  \  fhouldhave  crucified.     I  have  neg-± 
lefled  my  Duty  to  thee,  and  to  my  Neigh* 
hour,  and  the  neceffary  care  of  my  own  Sal- 
vation.    I  have  been  an  unprofitable  Ser* 1 
vant,  and  have  hid  thy  Talents,  and  have 
difl)onoured  thee, whom  in  all  things  Ifhculd* 
have  pleafed  and  glorified.     I  have  been] 
negligent  in  hearing  and  reading  thy  Holy\ 
Word,  and  in  meditating  and  conferring* 
of  it j  in  Public k  and  Private  Prayer  and} 
Thanksgiving,  and  in  my  Preparation  to 
this  holy  Sacrament,  in  the  examining  of 
myfeif,  and'repenting  of  my  bins,  and 9 
fiirring  up  my  Heart  ta  a  believing  and 
thankful  receiving  of  thy  Grace,  and  ta 
love&  jo)fuJnefs,  in  my  Communion  with 
ihee^  and  with  one  another  of  thy  PeopleJ 
1  have  not  duly  difcerned  the  Lord's  Body, 
hut  hive  prophaned  thy  Holy  Name  andy 
Ordinance,  as  if  the  Table  of  the  Lord  had 
been  contemptible.     And  when  thou  haft- 
Jpoken  Peace  to  me,   I  returned  agiin  to. 
Folly  |     have  deferved,  0  Lord,  to  be  caft< 
cut  of  thy  Prefence,  and  to  be  forfaken, 
Of  I  have  for/a  ken  thee,  and  to  hear  to  m% 
Confufion,  Depart  from  me,  lknjwthe.tr 
not,  thou  worker  of  Iniquity,    ^bou.m^y* 


the    Holy  Communion*  t$t" 

tjf  juflfy  tell  me,  thru  bofi  no  Plefurein 
me, nor  wilt  receive  an  offering  at  my  bond. 
But  with  thee  there  is  abundant  Mercy. 
And  my  Advocate  Jffus  Chri/i  the  Righ- 
teous, is  the  Propitiation  j or  my  $inH\ 
who  hire  them  in  bis  bdy  on  the  Crfsy 
dnd  made  hivfelf  an  Offering  jor  ib  ni% 
that  be  might  put  them  away  by  the  Sacri- 
fice oj  bimjelj  5  have  Mercy  upon  me,  and 
wajh  me  in  bis  Bloody  c loath  me  with  bis 
Right eoufnefs  ^  take  away  my  lnquitiesy 
and  let  th m  not  be  my  fuiitt\  jorgive 
them,  and  remember  them  no  mor$ ;  0 
thou  that  delight efl  not  in  the  Deaib  of 
Sinners,  heal  my  backflidings,  love  me 
freely,  W  Jay  unto  my  Soul,  that  thou  art 
my  Salvation.  Th:>u  wilt  in  no  wife  c,Jl 
cut  them  thit  come  unto  thee,  receive  me 
gracioufly  to  the  Feafl  thou  hall  prepared; 
for  me  y  caufe  ?ne  to  hunger  &  thirfi  a)  er 
Cbnft,  and  bis  Right  eon jn fsy  that  1  may 
be  fat  u  fed  :  Let  his  Fitlh  &  Blord  be  to 
me  meat  and  drink  indeed,  an  I  his  Spirit 
be  in  me  a  well  of  living  Water  1  fringing 
up  to  ever  ailing  Life.  Gtve  ftfa  /"  know 
thy  Lave  tn  Chnft,  which  psjfrth  Know- 
ledge J)  1  hav±  {riot  fee n  htm  let  me 
And- though  now  I  fee  Vwt.  n  r) 


?42  A  Prayer  before  the  Receiving 
yet  believing  let  tne  rejoice  with  joy  utt- 
fpiakablC)  and  full  oj  Glory  h  though  I 
am  unworthy  oj  the  Crumbs  that  fall  jrotn 
thy  Table,  yet  jeed  me  with  the  Bread  oj 
Lije,  and  /peak  and  jeal  up  Teau 
to  my  fin  Jul  wounded  Soul.  Sojten 
my  Heart  that  is  hardened  by  ihe  deceit* 
fu/nefs  vj  Sin  h  mortijie  the  F/ffb,  and 
ftrenghen  me  with  might  in  the  inward 
Man  %  that  I  may  live  rd glorifie  tbjC Wact \ 
through  J  ejus  Cbriji  our  only  Saviour. 

&  Prayer  after  tfie   Receiving  of  th« 
Holy  Communion. 

MOST  Glorious  Gcd,  bow  wonderful  h 
thy  Power,  andWifdom^  thy  Hotinffs  ana 
zfnjtics,  thy  Love  and  Mercy  in  this  Work  of  out 
JRtdnnption,  by  the  Incarnation.  Life%  Deatb^ 
jR  furr  edion  Inter  ceffUn,  and  Dominion  cftb) 
Son  !  No  Power  or  Wijdom  in  Heaven  or  Earth. 
soufd  have  delivered  me  but  thine  The  Angel, 
d  fie  to  pry  into  this  Myfrery,  the  Heavenly 
Jlof}  d>  celebrate  it  with  Praifes^  joying^  Glor  ' 
f*  to  God  in  tb*  Higb'll,  on  .  Earth  Psa 
Goodwill  towards    Men      The   wbvle  Great io 


fiail  prod iim   thy   Prifes,    EUJJing^   Honou 
Glory  and  Pwer  be  unto  him that  fiiteth    vpo 
J  be  Thron\   and  unto  the   Lamb  for  ever   an 
*v*r.      Worthy  isth'3  Lamb  that  w^fiain  to^r 
*3iv&  Pw3t^   and  Hmour%    and   Gfoty  $  for    h  i 
$ti$A  wd*m:d:u  &j3:dfy  i'h  Blood,  and m-d  \ 

U 


L 


the  Holy  Communion.'        141 

us  Kings  and  Pnefts  unto  our  God.     JPbereSin 
abounded  Grace  hath  abounded  much  more.  And 
baft  thou  indeed  forgiven  me  fo  great  a  debt,  by 
fo  precious  a  Ranfo/a?   Wilt  thou   indeed  give 
me  to  reign  with  Chri ft  in  Glory,   and  fee  thy 
Face,  and  love  thee,  and  be  beloved  vf  thee  for 
tver  ?  Tea  Lord,  thou  b  ft  forgivenme%  and  thou 
wilt  glorifie  pie,  for  thon  art  faithful  that  baft 
promifed.     With  the  Blood  of  thy  Son,  with  the 
Sacrament,  and  wiib  thy  Spirit,  thou  haft  feal- 
td  up  to  me  thefe  precious    Promifes.       And 
i)aQ  I  not  love  thee,  that  baft  thus  loved  vie? 
SbaU  I  not  love  thy  Servants,    and  forgive  my 
"Neighbours  their  little  debt  I    After    aU    this 
UfaU  I  again  for  fake  thee^and  dealfalfely  in  thy 
Covenant  ?    God  forbid,  0\  Bel  my  Affetiions 
mtbe  things  above,  where  Cbrift  Jitteth  at    thy 
nght  band.  Let  me  no  more  mind  eaithIyTbings9 
iut  let  myConverfution  be\in Heaven, from  whence 
I  expeti  my  Saviour  to  come  and  change  me  in* 
\o  the  lihncfs  of  bis  Glry.      Teach   me  to  do 
\by  will)  O  God!    And  to  follow  bimjvbo  is  the 
Author  of  Eternal  Salvation,  to  all  them  that 
fo  obey  him.     Order  my  fteps  by  thy  Word.and 
Ut  n)t  any  Iniquity  have  Dominion  over  me.  Let 
ne  not  henceforth  live  unto  my  felf  but  unto 
him     who   died  for  me  and  rofe    again.    Let 
tie  have  n*  fetlovfiip  with  the  unfruitful  Works 
f  Dar  k*  fit  but  reprove  them.      And  let  my 
ight  fo  fbi*e  before  Men,  that  they  may  glorify 
Khee      In  Jimpli city  and  godly  fencer  ity,&  not 
n  flefih  Wifdom%    h  t  me  have  my  Converfation 
it  theWorld      O  that  mv  Ways  were  Jo  dnettedt 
mil  T  might  keep  thy  Statutes  \   Though  Sat  an 
t?iU  be  djlrous  again  to  ft  ft  meM  and  feek  as   a> 

roaring 


144  ■  mA  divine  Soliloquy. 
roaiing  Lion  to  d  vour,  ftrengthen  me  to  Han 
againjt  his  Wilts,  andfh>rtly  bruije  him  unds 
my  feet.  Accept  me y  O  Lor  d  who  rejign  m 
fclfunto  the  as  thine  oun-,  and  wilh  myTbank 
and  Praif§,.pTefent4>iy  Jtlf  a  living  Sacrifice  t 
be  accrpt able  thro'  Lhrift  Ujeful  for  thin 
Hon ur.  Being  made  free  fromsin, and  becom 
thy  Servant  let  me  have  my  Fruit  untoHoiinefs 
and  the  End  Everlaji'wg  Life,  Through  Jeju 
Chrijt  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 


A  Divine  Soliloquy* 

OMy  S*ul!   Thou  haft  been  feafled  with  th 
Sen  of  God,  at  his  Table,  upon    his  Flei 
and  Blood-in  Preparation  for  the  Feajf  of  End 
hfs  Glory  ;   thou    haft  feen   there    reprefinted 
v>h at  Sin  defer velh,  what  Chrijl  f  fferedf  wba 
vender  f J  -Love,   the  God  of  infinite   GoodneJ 
hath  cxprejt  to  thee.     Thru  haft  hadCommnnioi 
tpilh  the  Saints  ;  thou  haR  renewed  tbyCovenan 
of  Faith    and  thankful  Obedifrice^  unto   Chrif 
l*bcu  half  received  his  renewed  Covenant  of  Pat 
don,  Grace  and    Glory    to  thee  ,0    carry  bene 
th^lively  S(7tfe  of  the fe  great  and  excellent  thing 
upon  thy  Htait,     Pnnnnbcr .  O  my  Soul !  Th-)} 
came  ft  not    (to  that  holy.  Table  )   only   toinjo 
th?  Mercy  of  an    Hour,    b  t  that    which  ma 
Jpr  in?  Tp  to  end  icf  Jny.     Twu  cm  eft    not  o>;J 
to  do  the  Out  y  of  an  Hour,  but  to  Promifi  tha 
which  thou    mufl  per  form    white  thou    live  ft  r 
Earth      Pan  mhtr  da i ly ,efpeciatt-y  wh .  n  I '<  vij 
tatfons  to  unbelief  and  Ji  if ui  he*vhi>fs  off  **} 


A  Divine  Soliloquy.1  T4? 

thee,  what  Pledges  of  Love  thu  haft  received* 
Remember  daily,  efptciaUy  whenFleJb,  and  JDevHi 
and  World,  would  draw  tby  Heart  again  from 
God-,  and  Temptations  to  Sin  are  laid  before 
tbee^  what  Bonds  God  and  thy  own  Confent  have 
laid  upon  thee.  Remember ,  O  my  Soul  \  If  thou 
art  a  Penitent  Eeleever^  thou  art  now  for given , 
andmofyedinthe  Blood  cfCbri/l.  0\  Go  your 
\  rvay^  and  Sin  no  more  ;  no  more  thro*  wilfulness, 
and  Srivi  again l~i  your  Sins  of  weaknefs,  Wal- 
low no  more  in  the  Mire,  and  return  not  to  thy 
Vomit.  Let  the  exceeding  Love  of  Ch rift  con. 
Jtrain  thce}  having  fuch  Promifes,  i.  Cor .  6.  iji 
18  O  cleanfe  thy  f elf  from  all  filthinefs  ofFUfb 
undSpir it,  perfecting  Holinefi  in  the  Fear  cf 
God,     Amen. 


HYMNS  fuited  to  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  Supper* 

To  be  Sung  in  common  Tunes* 
HYMN     I. 

I. 

A  New  and  well  compofed  Sotf^P 
With  raptures  fill'd  of  Love, 
And  exrafie's  of  Joy  -,   leis  Tune 

Unto  our  Lord  above. 
iftwake  my  drowfie  fkepy  Soul, 
Awake  dull  heavy   Hearr, 

And,- 


146  Sacramental  Hymns. 

And  all  my  Faculties  and  Powers," 
Join,  in  and  bear  a  part. 
II. 
Let  Judgment  weigh  the  Argument, 

Let  Fancy  it   adorn, 
Let  Memory  bring  forth  its  ftore, 
Thoughts,  offer  your  firit-bom. 
God  did  aflame  the  fhape  of  Man, 

With  Flefh  his  Glory  vail'd, 
Himfelf  he  humbled  unto  Death, 
He  to  the  Crofs  was  nail'd. 
'    III. 
Made  Sin,  us  to  acquit  from  Sin  s 

Accurfcd,  us  to  blefs. 
Of  Righteoufnefs  he  wrought  a  Robe 

To  hide  our  Nakednefs. 
Darling  of  He3ven  he  was  and  is, 

The  Father's  chief  Delight : 
Angels  wonder,  the  Saints  above 
Are  ravifli'd  at  his  fighr. 
IV. 
Array'd  he  is  with  Majefty, 

Angels  do  him  attend  * 
AH  Pow'r  is  his  in  Heaven  and  Earth, 

All  to  his  Scepter  bend. 
A  glorious  Crown  is  on  his  Head, 

Moft  lovely  is  his  Face, 
Treafures  of  Wifdom  are  with  him, 
For  us  he's  ftor'd  with  Grace.        V 


Sacrcmtntal  Hymns.  14.7 

V. 

flis  Love  doth  pafs  Dimenfions£ 

His  Love  exceeds  all  thought, 
Stronger  than  Death,  this  Love  to  US 

Salvation  hath  brought. 
Bence  all  the  Clouds  away,  away, 

Darken  no  more  mine  Eye, 
?ain  would  I  lee  this  lovely  One, 

Whofe  dwelling  is  on  high. 
VI. 
'ypen  thine  Eye,  here  Jefus  ftands, 

He  looks,  he  breaths,  he  moves.* 
Jy  Faith  thou  may'it  difcern  him  plain, 

In  this  fweet  Feaft  of  Loves, 
ind  art  thou  here  indeed,  ray  Lord ! 

Draw  nearer  yet  to  me, 
ind  nearer,  nearer,  my  dear  Lord  j 

Too  near  thou  canlt  not  be. 

VII. 
lome  my  Beloved,  let  me  view 

Thy  beauteous  lovely  Face-, 
hee  I  would  fold  in  arms  of  love^ 

Fain  I  would  thee  embrace, 
feel,  I  feel  a  flame  within, 

Pear  Lord,   1  thee  admire; 

hy  fparkling  Beauty  which  I  fee,' 

Hath  fee  me  all  en  Fire. 

VIIK 


H8  Sacramental  Hymns] 

VIII. 
Thy  kind  looks  have  me  overcome,' 

The  glances  of  thine  Eye, 
Sweerly  my  Soul  tranfported  havej 

I  feel  an  Extafie. 
Unutterable  Joys  I  feel, 

How  fweet  !  How  fweet  !  How  fw 
Is  this  talte  of  thy  Love,  whilft  I 

And  my  beloved  meet ! 
IX. 
Sure  this  the  Gate  of  Heaven  is," 

Methinks  I'm  entring  in, 
Where  I  (hall  always  fee  thy  Face," 

And  no  more  grieve  or  fin. 
Ten  Thoufand  Praifes  let  us  give 

tinto  our  Lord  on  high; 
Let  Heart,  and  Lip,  and  Life  comb 

To  make  the  Melody. 

HYMN    IL 
I. 

OCome  let  us  join  all  like  one; 
The  Lord  to  magnifie  j 
Let  us  together  lift  his  Name 
In  fweet  founds  to  the  Sky. 
Sweet  Hymns  of  Love  come  let  usfi 

Let  Love  us  a£t  and  move  > 
Let  Love  our  voices  tune  to  praif£ 
Our  God,  for  God  i$  Love. 

It  Go 


Sacramental  Hjmml  145* 

IL 

Godcs  Love  the  lofty  Heav'ns  ab6ve, 

In  height  doth  far  tranfcend : 
Its  depih,theSea;its  breadth  andlengtfc 

Is  without  bound  01  end. 
God's  love  to  us  is  wonderful; 

To  us  who  Rebels  were, 
God  gave  his  only  Son  to  die,' 

That  Rebels  he  might  fpare.1 
III. 
From  guilt  and  reigning  power  offing 

And  Satan's  fl3very  $ 
Frrm  fire  of  Hell  us  to  redeem, 

God  gave  his  Son  to  die. 
Chrift  fuffer'd  in  our  ftead,  he  was        •• 

More  harmlefs  than  the  Dove: 
That  God  (houid  lay  our  fins  on  him  j 

This,  this  indeed  h  Love. 
IV 
O  come  let  us  give  God  our  Loves, 

L^t  every  heart  take  fire; 
Let  fl<rnes  come  forth  and  join  in  one,  :    1 

And  unto  Heaven  afpire. 
Sweet  Spirit  come,  like  Southern  Gales, 

Within  us  brearhe  and  move  * 
Blow  up  ouv  fpark  into  3  fl  me, 

That  we  nflav  burn  with  1 

O        ~\       V,  That 


x  5  ^  Sacramental  By  mns. 

V. 

That  we  with  all  our  hearts  may  love, 

Our  hearts  Lord  circumeife: 
Of  Love  perfum'd  with  fweet  Incenfe, 
Accept  the  Sacrifice. 
VI. 
Draw  near,  0  God,  unvail  thy  felf, 

Our  cloudinefs  remove: 
O  mine  /  And  fmile  on  us,  that  we 
May  fee  thy  face  and  love, 
VII. 
Dtnr  Jefus,  come  and  vifit  us,' 

h  ftrangerdo  not  prove* 
Meal  wounds  of  fin,  fpeak  peace  that  we 
Thy  voice  may  here  and  love. 
V1IL 
Our  felves  we  offer  with  our  heart, 

Qtff  whole  felves  we  re%n 
To  thee  who  art  the  God  of  Love, 
We  are  and  will  be  chine. 
HYMN   JIL 
I 

GOD  hath  us  brought  into  bfsCourts 
'    And  Chambers  of  his  Love, 
Tftai  he  might  fe§&  and  feaft  uj  here, 

With  dainties  from  above, »f 
llevra  cpen'd  is  Jbefbre  our  Bye, 
The  vraii  Is  lent,  that  ws 


Saaramental  Hytnrit]  i  fi 

Mav  upward  look,  and  his  dear  Soa 

Crowned  with  Glory  fee* 
II. 
This  Jefus  crowned  was  with  Thorns, 

Scourged  with  cruel  hands, 
His  flefh  was  torn,  when  to  iheCrofs 

Hetyed  was  with  Bands, 
Tears  trickled  from  his  mournful  eyes; 

Sweat  dropped  from  his  face, 
Blood  flowed  from  his  hands  and  fe-er, 

And  fide,  in  itreams  apace. 
Ill 
Hisgroanswere  ftrong,b?s  cryswere  loud 

Preflures  of  wrath  did  lie 
Upon  his  Soul,  with  fenfe  of  which 

In  anguifh  he  did  die. 
He  harmlefs  was,  and  innocent ^ 

No  guilt  upon  him  lay, 
Bur  as  our  Surety  he  our  debts 

Did  by  his  fuffenngs  pay. 

IV.  f 

Thus  did  he  Jufticefatisfie, 

By  dying  in  our  room. 
That  we  might  juftified  be 

By  F*>  *  h,  that  to  him  come. 
T*\°  J;e  fid  we  eat  at  this  great  Feaft* 

C^.iVsflefh  is,  and  his  blcod 
Is  reprefented  by  the  Wine-, 

This,  this  indeed  is  food.  V. 


IJ* 


Sacramental  Hymnu 


V. 

Here  is  the  heavenly  Manna,  which 

Our  God  to  us  doth  give: 
Who  eateth  other  bread  flialldie-, 

In  eating  this  we  live. 
A  hidden  life  of  Grace  we  have, 

Breathing  defires  and  love  •, 
CHriit  is  our  Life,  the  Author,  Spring, 

By  whom  our  Graces  move. 
VI. 
Come  let  us  look  unto  our  Lord  5 

This  Glafs  will  fhow  his  face, 
Not  veiled  over  with  daik  Types, 

As  heretefofi  ir  was. 
God-man,  that  name  is  wonderful -3 

So  is  his  beauty  3  fo 
His  love  is  full  of  wonders,  both 

Beyond  our  reach  to  go. 
VII. 
Yet  where  we  cannot  comprehend, 

Looking,  let  us  admire, 
Admiring  love,  loving  rejoyce, 

And  to  enjoy  afpire- 
Oiir  Lord  is  prefent  at  this  lyeaft-, 

He  looks,  let's  meet  his  E- 
With  ours}  fvveer glances,  look*   -  love, 

It  may  be  we  fhall  fpy. 

VIII.   Ccme 


Sacramental  Uymnf.  iff 

VIIL 
Come  Lord  draw  near,we  long, we  long 

Thy  face  ro  fee,   thy  love 
To  tafte,  thy  voice  to  hear,  within 

To  feel  thy  Spirit  move. 
Thou  art  all  fair,  thou  halt  no  fpot* 

Thy  beauty   is  divine  : 
Thou  art  all  love,  embrace  us  Lord 

In  t&ofe  fweet  Arms  of  thine. 
IX. 
We  look,  we  wait,  we  hope,  we  truity 

We  long,  we  love,  we  bum. 
Ravifh  thou  doft  our  hearts,whilft  thot* 

To  us  thine  Eye  doft  turn. 
With  all  the  powers  of  our  Souls 

Dear  Jefus  we  thee  praife, 
In  fongs  of  joy  and  thankfuinefs 

Our  voices  we  do  raife* 
X. 
Hofinna\  we,    Mfunn<?§  we 

D )  fi  g  with  one  accord 
In  HaJ/elujjWs  of  triumph 

We  jojrn  ro  praife   the  Lord,1 
Ye  Angels  and  triumphant  Saints^. 

Praife  ye  our  Lord  abover 
Whiift  we  his  Servants*  here  below 

Do  fing  his  praife  with  love. 

O  3  HYMN 


#£$  Sacramental  Bymns. 

HYMN    IV. 
I. 

THoufandsofthoufandsftand  around 
Thy  Throne,0  God,  molt  high  ! 
Ten  thoofand  times  ten  thoufand  found 

Thy  praife,  but  who  am  I  > 
Thine  arm  of  might,  molt  mighty  King 
Both  Rocks  and  Hearts  doth  break  ^ 
My  God,    thou  canft  do  every  thing 
But  what  would  (how  thee  weak. 
II. 
M  ^ft  pure  and  holy  are  thine  Eyes, 

Molt  holy  is  thy  Name  $ 
Thy  Saints,  and  Laws,  and  Penalties^ 

Thy  holinefs   proclaim. 
Mercy  is  God's  Memorial,  1 

And  in  all   Ages  prais'd  ; 
My  God,  thine  only  Son  did  fall; 
That  Mercy  might  be  rais'd. 
HI. 
Thy  bright  back  parts,  0  God  of  Grace; 

I  humbly  here  adore  j 
Shew  me  thy  glory   and  thy  face, 

That  I  may  praife  thee  more. 
Myfterious  depths  of  endlefs  love 

Our  admirations  raife. 
My  God,  thy  Name  exalted  is 
Fat  atove  ail  our  praife. 


Sacramental  Hymns.  i  J  * 

HYMN    V. 
I. 

TO  whom,Lord,fhouldIfing,butthee 
The  maker  of  my  Tongue? 
Lo,  other  Lords  would  ieize  on  me* 

But  I  to  thee  belong. 
As  thou  Lord,  an  immortal  Soul 

Haft  breathed  into  me, 
So  let  my  Soul  be  breathing  fof  th 

Immortal  thanks  to  thee. 
II. 
Sing  and  triumph  in  boundlefs  grace^ 

Which  thus  hath  fet  thee  free  $ 
Extol  with  fhoutsmy  faYedSoui 

Thy  Saviour's  love  to  thee. 
SweetChrift,thou  halt  refxelht  ourSouIs 

With  thine  abundant  grace, 
For  which  we  magnifie  thy  Name, 

Longing  to  fee  thy  face, 
III. 
Down  from  above  the  blefled  Dove 

Is  come  into  my  brealt, 
To  witnefs  God's  Eternal  Love^ 

This  is  my  heavenly  Feaih  j 

This  makes  me  Abba  Father  cryf 

With  confidence  of  Soul ! 
It  makes  me  cry,  my  Lord,  my  God,' 

And  that,  wirhout  conwoul. 

IV.  Thou 


Thou  art  all  power,  thou  art  all  love. 

And  To  thou  art  to  me  $ 
Bleft  be  my  God  now  and  henceforth 

And  to  Eternity. 

HYMN    VI. 
I 

LORD' give  me  a  -believing  hearf, 
Advance  it  more  and  more  ^ 
Rebuke  thofe  doubts  and  fcruples  thai 

Are  crowding  at  my  door. 
Lord  let  thy  Word  and  Spirit  guide 

Thy. Servant  in  thy  way  * 
May  I  walk  clofely  with  my  God, 
.  And  run  no  more  aftray. 
IT. 
AH  tjvey  that  fit  down  with  thee  mull 

Be  decked  with  thy  Grace  -, 
Thou  fmil'ft  on  fuch  Communicants, 

A«ci  rhey  behold  thy  face. 
Come  holy  Spitir,  come  and  .take, 

My  filthy  Garments  hence, 
The  guilt,  the  ftain,  the  love  of  Gnr 
Will  give  my  Eajd  oftence.- 
1IL 
Eet  nothing  that  is- not  divine, 
Within  ih#  pretence  move, 

What 


Sacramental  Hymns.  i  S7 

What  e're  would  caufe  thee  not  to  fhine 

In  tokens  of  thy  Love, 
Awake  Repentance,  Faith  and  Love, 
,     Awake   O  every  Grace  ! 
Come,  come  attend  this  glorious  King, 
And  bow  before  his  face. 
IV. 
Let  not  my  Jefus  now  be  ftrange, 

And  hide  himfelf  from  me$ 
0  caufe  thy  face  to  fhine  upon 
The  Soul  that  longs  for  thee. 
HYMN    VII. 
I. 

WE  to  our  heavenly  Father  give 
The  tribute  praife  we  owe, 
Who  by   bis  purifying  Grace 

Prepares  us    here   below. 
Lo  here's  the  molt  amazing  proof 

Of  great  and  matchlefs  Love  ! 
Nor  that  our  Early  love  to  God 

Did  his  prevent  and  move. 
*  //. 

His  motives  all  to  pity  us 

From  his  own  bowels  flow  • 
rhence  came  the  ticheft  gift  of  Heav'n 

To  guilty  Men  below, 
rhar  to  his  glorious  grace  all  praiff 

Might  be  intirely  paid  ; 

Who, 


l 


i?8  Sacramental  Hynmsl 

Who,  that  he  mig.  r  forgive  our  fins," 

Chrift's  Blood  our  Ranforn  made  •> 
III 
Let  then  this  glorious  gift  of  God 

Yet  more  our  Souls  refine, 
That  his  pure  Image  may  in  us 

With  greater  glory  fhioe. 
Draw  us,  dear  Lord,  and  towards  thee 

We  with  fwift  wings  will  move, 
Thou  Objeft  6f  our  higheft  hopes, 

And  of  our  deareft  Love. 
IV. 
Tbankfgiving  is  an  heav'nly  work, 

Ic's  all  in  Heaven  they  do, 
To  thank  and  praife  theLord  mod  higb, 

On  Eirth  is  fweet  work  too. 
O  !  Bleffed  are  ye  Saints  above, 

How  a&ive  is  your  Rare  ! 
You  ever  blefs  the  Lord  our  God, 

Not  at  our  broken  rate. 
V, 
Bu%0 !  How  weak  are  era  wlingWormsV 

How  fhort  our  Sabbarh  days  > 
We  die  more  hours  by  far  in  fbep, 

Than  we  do  live  in   praife* 
O  Glorious  God  !   Accept  our  wills, 

And  weaknefTes  forgive  ; 
We  w:fh  our  Souls  were  like  theSaints, 

Unlike  them  as  we  live.  Vi, 


Sacramental  Hymns.  i  J  £ 

VI. 

!ut,  O  ray  God !  Reach  down  thy  hand, 

Ard  rake  us  up  ro  thee, 
'hat  we  about  thy  Throne  may  ftand, 

And  all  thy  Glory  fee. 
M  glory  to  the  faced  Three, 

One  Everlaftirg  Lord, 
is  at  the  firlt,  ftill  may  he  be 

Belov'd,   obey'd,    ador'd. 
HYMN    Vili. 
/. 
^Ome  let's  adore  the  King  of  Love^ 

The  King  of  fuffriogs  too, 
or  love  it  was  that  brought  him  down* 

And  fee  him  here  below. 
ove  drew  him  from  his  Paradice, 

Where  Flowers  that  fade  nor  grow, 
nd  planted  him  in  our  poor  dult, 

Among  us,  Weeds  below. 
//. 

narrow  thogghr,and  narrow  fpeech* 

-Here  your  defeats  confefs. 

he  life  nt  G  d,  the  death  of  Chrifl*, 

HLdw  faintly  you  exprefs. 

thou  !  Who  from  a  Virgin  root 

Mad'ft  this  fair  Flower  to  fpring, 

eip  uu  to  raife  both  heart  and  voice, 

And  with  more  fpiric  dug, 

III  To 


l6o  Sacramental  Hymn  si 

III. 
To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft, 

One  undivided  Three, 
AH  higheft  praife,  all  humbleft  thanks 

Now  and  fox  ever  be. 

HYMN.  IX. 
To  the  Tune  of  the  i  co  Pfatm. 

i  (high; 

TXJnt  nowyourfelvesmyfrtfar/ttrings 
Let  us  aloft  our  voices  raife, 
That  our  loud  fong  may  reach  theSky, 
And  there  prefent  to  thee  our  praife. 

To  thee,  Melt  Jefus,  who  cam'lt  down 
From  thofe  bright  Spheres  of  Joy  above, 
To  purchafe  us  a  dear  bought  Crown, 
Afld  woe  our  Souls  V  efpoule  thy  Love. 

Long  had  the  World  in  darknefs  far, 
Till  thou  with  thy  all  glorious  light 
Began  to  dawn  frrm  Heav'nsfair  Gire, 
And  with  thy  beam  difpeJl  their  right. 

We  to,  Alas!  Still  here  had  ftood 
As  common  flaves  in  this  fame  (hade 
But  Jefufrcame,  and  with  his  Bioud 
Our  general  Ranfitn  freely  paid. 

And  now,  my  Lord,  mvGod,  my  AH, 
What  (hail  i  moll  in  thee  admire, 

That 


Sacrament  aI  Hymntl  iSi 

Thit  Pow'r  which  made  ihtWarfd&fhzll 
rhe  Woild  again  diTolve  with  Fixe ! 

Oh  no!  Thy  fhargeHumUiry, 

rhy  wounds,thypains,thy  crofsjhy  death 

rhefe  (hall  alone  my  wonder  be, 

My  health,  my  joy,my  ftaff,my  breatW 

Fp  thee,  great  God,  to  thee  alone, 

Three  Perfons  in  One  Deity, 

&s  fbrmei  Ages  ftill  have  done^ 

&11  glory  now  and  ever  be. 

ttwnson  the  Inter cejjion  of  Cbrijfl 

HYMN    X. 
i. 

THE  Mighty  Jefus,  fiil'd  with  Love 
Did.thefe  dark  Regions  leave : 
rhe  heav'nly  Hofts  all  wondring  Hood 

King  Jefus  to  receive, 
rhp  great  Jehovah  fets  a  Throne, 

Inltals  our  glorious  King  •, 
Both  Heaven  and  Earth  mult  him  adore^ 
And  loud  HofanitaV%  ling. 
II. 
There  firs  the  King  of  Peace  and  Love,' 

A  Saviour  is  his  Name, 
Mercy  his   Nature  and  Delight, 

And  ever  fo  the  fame. 
Corneal!  that  fear,  come  all/that  want,1 
And  fpeedy  fuccour  find  j 

?  He 


l£f  Sacramental  Hymns] 

He  ne're  denies  a  praying  Soul,1 
He  is  fo  good  and  kind. 

111. 

Behold  and  wonder  at  his  Love* 

We  are  his  daily  care, 
Jrlis  ear,  his  heart,  is  always  fixt 

To  hear  and  anfwer  Prayer. 
Be  not  afraid  to  bring  your  Suit, 

Come  with  a  chearful  Heart : 
Weak  cries,  mixr  Prayers  cannot  bat 

A  gran:  to  his  own  part. 
IV. 
Satan,  it's  m*e,  prefents  his  Plea* 

And  Juftlce  brings  its  claim  $ 
Byjt  all  are  filent  when  he  pleads,' 

His  Blood,  his  Love,  his  Nanse  ! 
Let  holy  Souls  then  daily  go 

To'Jefss  on  his  Throne, 
Andiove  that  all-prevailirg  Friend 

Who  fays  we  are  his  own* 

HYMN    XL 
As  iho  (Tjtb  PfalsMo 

OTIiis  ungrateful  Wmld  ! 
To  kill  fo  kind  a  Friend; 
t  made  the  Lord  of  Glory  die^ 
What  might  this  aS  portend  ? 


Sacramental  Hymns]  163 

Sat  wonder,  holy  Souls, 

G  d's  -h^ught  s  all'rbo'ts  tranfcendc 
[Thrift  murdefd  by  a  Rebel  World, 

And  yet  he  is  our  Friend* 
IK 
't's  true,  Chrift  leftthe  Earthy 

Bat  is  entbron'd  above, 
^v  to  revenge  this  cruel  Afr, 

But  lives  and   reigns  in  Love. 
Jweet  is  his  work  on  high, 

Peace  is  the  charming  Voice  1 

et  but  a  Soul-embrace  his  Call,1 

The  heavenly  Hoft  rejoice* 

111 
If  bold   he  ftands  and  calls; 

Come  Sinners,   come  to  me," 
<ly  Love,  my  Kingdom  ftull  be  your£ 

To  all  Eternity. 

elleve  n)y  faithful  Word, 

All  my   defigns  are  Grace, 
'ake  now  the  Earneft  of  my  Love 

Before  yoif  fee  mv  Face* 

JV. 
lever  be  ftrange  to  me, 

1  wait  to  hear  your  cry^ 

er  me  but  know  your  preffing  wants? 

And  you  (hall  have  (apply, 
lever  diltruli  my  Love, 

i  am,  this  is  my  Name  >  Sio 


1^4  'Sacramental  Hymn  el 

Sin' makes  me  hide  my  Face  a  while^ 

When  yer  my  L'  vecs  the  fame. 
Never  regard  your  Foes, 

Thev  are  no  mitch  for  me; 
Ple*d  ftillmvConqijeRswith  your  God 
And  you  (hill  V.itWs  be. 

HYMN    XII. 
L 

Flll'dwith  thefenfeof&nand  wratt 
And  black  defpair  drew  nigh, 
To  Chnft  I  fled  for  free'ring  Grace, 

He  heard  my  mournful  cry  : 
Under  his  pleafant  fhade  1  fare, 
Sweet  notes  of  Love  I  heard  $ 
My  welcome  was  above  my  thought,' 
How  was  1  lov'd  and  chear'd. 
11. 
8ie  came  to  me,  but  not  alone^ 
D'vine  Fruits  were  my  fak  5 
1  waited  what  he  fitft  would  fay,1 

Your  (ins  now  pard  n'd  are  : 
Jeace  with  Jehovah  is  mf  gift, 

No  frowns  appear  above  -, 
£0  boldly  to  my  Father's  Throne, 
Love  waits  your  Soul  to  love. 
HI. 

The  Book  of  Life,  your  Name  is  the* 
And  ever  there  (hail  bea 

Lo< 


To  all  E'emity. 
Ask  what  you  will,  I  have  God's  Ear, 

He  never  me  deny'd  i 
Come  wirb  your  fears,  come  with  youi 

And  you  /hall  be  fupply  d.    (wants, 

* 

IV. 

I  give  xny  Angels  for  your  Guard, 

You  are  their  daily  care, 
Let  Satan  tempt  and  ffcoot  his  Darts, 

They  can  prevent  the  fnare. 
©  Lord  !  What  can  1  now  reply, 

What  Love  at  fuch  a  rate  !* 
But  this  I'll  pray,  O  let  my  Lovej 

Bear  an  Eternal  Date. 

Another, 
I 

The  time  Is  pall  when  humane  Race 

'  Became  God's  Enemy  : 
The  World  ne're  Uw  f  bbck  a  Night, 

When  Adam  eat  the  Tree. 
waft  gulf  of  Woes  becjme  his  d-?e, 
Which  had'  no  bounds  nor  erd  * 
'Wh  it  e  re  he did,what  e're  he  thought, 
Still  guilt  did  him  attend. 

F  3.  11  Got 


God  faw  this  fad  tremendous  Fall, 

His  Truth  faid,  might  thy  Woid 
Juittcc  requir'd,  the  Sinner's  Blood 

Nopiry  him  afford  -> 
But  Love,  that  charming  Attribute 

Prepaid  a  kind  reply, 
iThe  Pleas  of  Juftice  I'll  adjuft^. 

JMy  OiJy  Son  ffaail  die. 

1IL 
BTeft  was  the  Day  when  A&am  heard 

That  chearing  Word  of  Grace, 
1 11  fend  the  Lord  of  Glory  here, 

And  hide  my  angry  face. 
Hear  what  he  fays,  he  knows  my  Hearr, 

My  Mercy  (hall  rejoice, 
Peace  hel  proclaim,the  War  will  ceafc. 

If  you  obey  his  Voice. 

W. 
Go  trembling  Sinner,  go  to  hin^ 

Fear  not  your  former  guilt, 
His  Death  has  aflfwer'd  my  demands^. 

And  I  will  you  acquit. 
Come- take  the  Pledge,  believe  mySaa 

I  am  your  own,  your  All, 
I  have  a  Father's  Hand  and  Hearty 

To  hear  you  when  you  call. 


Sacramental  Uymnil  %§& 

V. 

My  Chriftdid  lovingly  invite 

Me  to  his  charming  Fealt  $ 
Be  added  to  his  wondrous  Love» 

Made  me  a  willing  Gueft. 
Lcame  and  found  a  Banquet  rar^ 
I  He  brought  me  Angels  food; 
He  bid'me  rake  and  eat  my  fill, 

For  my  Eternal  good, 

VL  . 
He  fpoke  fuclr  chearingWords  oFGrace, 

What  do  you  want,  my  Friend  ? 
Wtiar,  can  you  doubt  my  kind  defigrrf 

Conijder,  and  attend. 
Sin  cannot  now  defeat  my  Love/ 

Since  Pardons  i  will  give  -. 
Siafeemsan  unrefitled  Foe,] 

It  Hull  not  always  live* 

VII. 
You  Feel  a  dreadful  War  witfiirr; 

Lufts  claims  a  righdefs  Throne^ 
But  this  united  force  111  break, 

Since  now  you  are  my  own. 
Satan  with  all  his  Darts  and  Snares 

Shall'prove  a  fruitlsfs  Foe ; 
you  are  defign'd  for  Heaven's  Blif% 

He  to  Eternal  Woe* 

Vlll 


i£8     ^     Sacramental  Hymntl 

VIII. 
Never  diflurft  my  wond'rous  Love, 

The  belt  is  yer  behind, 
No  Tongue  nor  Thought  can  reprefen 

How  good  I'll  be,  and  kind  v 
Refrefh  your  Souls  with  what  I  give* 

Wait  till  you  come  on  high  ; 
I  long  till  all  my  Members  fee 

JW- hat's  in  Eternity^ 

Aaotberi 

h 

What  made  the  Lord  of  Glory  die  > 

Shall  God  the  anfwer  make  > 
Our  guilty  Souls  may  Trembling  Rand 

To  hear  Jihovab  fpeak : 
But  God  has  fpoke,  he  Fent  bis  Son*. 

But  Itay  de  jetted  Heart, 
Not  to  condemn  a  Rebel  World; 

But  to  regain  his  parr. 
II. 
The  Death  ©f  Cfrrift  no  vengeance  cries 

It  is  a  figfi  of  Peace  r 
It  pardons  Sins*  and  pays  our  Debts, 

And  gives  our  Souls  releafe  * 
LetLtfio  ^iCcnfcienca  bring  their  charge 

Let  JutlLce  plead  our  guilt  s 

""  Tm 


: 


i 


Sacramental  llyititt)  i&$ 

The  Death  of  Chrift  can  filence  all, 
And  God  will  us  acquit. 

,     III. 

3h  Soul  /  Shall  baniffi'd  fears  return; 

When  you  can  pardon  plead  : 
Hold  faft  this  charming  Pledge  ot  Love* 

For  yra  it  is  decreed  * 
Let  Angels  fiog  their  higheft  Note^ 

Let  Earth  triumph  below, 
Let  the  Redeemed  of  the  Lord 

Their  Saviour's  Glory  fhow* 


j 


FINIS. 


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